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federal government has taken the decision to indefinitely suspend the N-Power program. This announcement came on Saturday, October 7, when Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, revealed the reasons behind this action. Edu cited numerous irregularities within the scheme as the primary cause, leading to a comprehensive investigation into the program’s fund utilization since its inception.
The minister highlighted some troubling issues within the program. Among them were beneficiaries who continued to receive monthly stipends despite not being present at their designated assignments. Additionally, Edu pointed out that certain beneficiaries were expected to have exited the program in 2022, yet they remained on the payroll.
Edu stated, “We must thoroughly reassess the N-Power program and address its underlying challenges. Consequently, we are temporarily suspending the program until we have completed a thorough investigation into its financial management. Our objectives are to determine the current program enrollment, outstanding arrears, and the overall financial status. We are committed to restructuring and expanding the N-Power program.”
She further explained, “We have identified instances where individuals who were meant to have left the program in the previous year are still claiming active participation. Upon investigation, we have found that many of them are not actively working at their designated locations. Despite their absence, they persist in claiming salaries, with approximately 80 percent of them not fulfilling their work obligations.”
This decision underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the efficient utilization of resources and the effective implementation of social programs like N-Power.
