Tears of Relief: Senate Secures N81 Billion N-Power Arrears for Long-Suffering Beneficiaries
- After years of waiting, N-Power beneficiaries are set to receive their arrears following Senate’s intervention
- In a significant development, the Nigerian Senate stepped in, facilitating a crucial meeting that offers a glimmer of hope
- Beneficiaries typically received monthly stipends, alongside training and devices, to equip them with valuable skills and alleviate poverty
Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade.
The N-Power programme, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s youth empowerment initiatives, was recently mired in controversy over the non-payment of N81 billion in outstanding stipends to thousands of beneficiaries.
This long-standing issue has left many in dire straits, highlighting the critical need for government intervention.
Source: UGC
History of the N-Power scheme
In a significant development, the Nigerian Senate has stepped in, facilitating a crucial meeting that offers a glimmer of hope for the affected individuals.
Launched in 2016 by the Nigerian government, the N-Power programme was designed as a social investment scheme to address youth unemployment and promote skill acquisition.
Targeting young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35, the program offered temporary employment in various sectors, including education (N-Teach), health (N-Health), agriculture (N-Agro), and others.
Beneficiaries typically received monthly stipends, alongside training and devices, to equip them with valuable skills and alleviate poverty.
The scheme aimed to foster entrepreneurship and prepare participants for the job market or self-employment, significantly impacting the livelihoods of millions of young Nigerians over its operational years.
The plight of beneficiaries since suspension
The suspension of the N-Power program and the subsequent non-payment of stipends have cast a long shadow over the lives of its beneficiaries.
For many, these monthly allowances were their primary source of income, supporting families, funding small businesses, or enabling them to pursue further education.
The sudden halt in payments, stretching back to 2022 and 2023, plunged thousands into financial uncertainty.
Stories abound of beneficiaries struggling to meet basic needs, unable to pay rent, afford food, or cover medical expenses.
N-Power: Delayed hopes restored
Some had invested their future based on the expected stipends, leading to significant personal debt and emotional distress.
The lack of clear communication and the prolonged delay in payments eroded trust in government initiatives and left beneficiaries feeling abandoned and disillusioned.
This desperate situation ultimately led to legal action against the Federal Government, a testament to the beneficiaries' profound hardship and their determined fight for what they were owed.
Senate steps in to resolve N-Power issues
The breakthrough came through the diligent efforts of Barau Jibrin, the deputy Senate president.
He spearheaded a crucial tripartite meeting involving federal officials, legal representatives of the aggrieved beneficiaries, and the relevant ministries. This over two-hour closed-door session, held at the National Assembly, proved instrumental.
Senator Barau, speaking to journalists, revealed that the beneficiaries had approached the Senate for intervention, and the minister of State for Housing and Urban Development was highly responsive.
During the meeting, it was confirmed that the owed funds were indeed part of the 2022 and 2023 budgets but could not be disbursed due to recurrent budget rollovers.
Why N-Power payments were delayed
Notably, there was no provision for these arrears in the 2024 and 2025 budgets, highlighting the complexity of the financial quagmire.
However, based on assurances from the relevant authorities that significant progress had been made in preparing for the payments, the beneficiaries agreed to suspend their legal action.
Source: Twitter
This decision reflects a renewed sense of trust and optimism that their long-awaited stipends will soon be paid.
Hope for N-Power beneficiaries
Businessday reported that Senator Barau emphasised the government's commitment to the welfare of its people, aligning with President Bola Tinubu's "Renewed Hope" agenda.
This intervention by the Senate represents a critical step towards rectifying a severe injustice and provides a much-needed lifeline to thousands of N-Power beneficiaries who have endured years of hardship.
While the path to full payment may still have hurdles, this development marks a significant victory for the perseverance of the beneficiaries and the responsive role of the legislative arm of government.
FG clarifies reports of opening of portal for N-Power
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Federal Government refuted claims of the opening of a portal for the Renewed Hope Job Creation program, categorising these assertions as false.
According to a report by The Sun, Dr Akindele Egbuwalo, National Programme Manager of N-Power, Renewed Hope Job Creation, urged Nigerians to disregard the rumours making the rounds on social media.
This follows an earlier report that the FG intends to commence payment of the 9-month backlog to N-Power beneficiaries in November 2023.
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Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
