The Federal Government has pledged to ensure that N-Power scheme beneficiaries who have not yet received their due salaries will be paid.
Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, made this commitment in a statement released on Sunday by Akindele Egbuwalo, the National Programme Manager of N-Power.
On Saturday, Minister Edu had announced the indefinite suspension of the N-Power program due to identified irregularities.
She emphasized that this action was necessary to create space for a comprehensive investigation into the program’s operations over the past twelve months.
In the statement, Edu elaborated on the steps taken to ensure transparency and accountability when the program resumes.
She highlighted the importance of conducting a thorough evaluation of the program, including auditing the number of participants, tracking those who have exited the program, identifying beneficiaries owed stipends, whether they fulfilled their work obligations or not, and scrutinizing the utilization of funds during this period.
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“We appeal to Nigerians to understand the rationale behind the temporary suspension and investigation of the programme as we work to restore the nation’s confidence in the programme and for the new N-Power to serve Nigerians better.
“Things have to be properly done for us to move forward.”
The minister also assured all beneficiaries with genuine claims that “we will resolve their cases once we complete the verification exercise and honor all valid outstanding obligations. Nobody will be owed”.
5 million new beneficiaries added
Edu said after the N-Power scheme has been revamped, an expanded programme to reach beneficiaries aged 18-40 (the previous age limit was 35), will be introduced.
“We are targeting 5 million beneficiaries in 5 years at a pace of 1 million per year under the graduate and non-graduate stream,” she said.
“In addition, the restructuring will accommodate some new programmes, in education, health, works, agriculture, technology, fashion, entertainment and other relevant areas of skill acquisition and employability.
“To earn the confidence of Nigerians in the expanded programme, transparency and accountability will be the benchmark.”
The minister added that efforts are underway to ensure that no one directly or indirectly unleashes suffering on Nigerians through the scheme.
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