N-power Unpaid Stipends: Strike and Massive Protest Underway
N-power Unpaid Stipends:Volunteers of the National Social Investment Progrmme (NSIP) of the Federal government of Nigeria, have threatened to embark on a massive industrial action as a result of Unpaid January allowances
Volunteers under the N-teach threw their anger against the present Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management-Sadiya Farouq. Sahara reporter gathered that, volunteers commended the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, whose tenure recorded no delay in stipends payment.
Apparently, massive industrial action may string up, if the stipends of the beneficiaries are further delayed, the N-teach group added
Many volunteers are calling for the immediate resignation of Sadiya Farouq, siting her incompetency and poor handling of the situations at hand. In addition to these issues, the minister had been “an enemy of progress” to the NSIP family:
- Sadiya Farouq, had been making attempts to stop some of the programmes under the scheme.
- Aside from announcing that beneficiaries would be laid off, she has also refused to release funds for the school feeding programme in some states.
The beneficiaries under National Association of N-power Volunteers said that they would no longer hesitate to embark on a strike action if their allowances were not paid. See http://myeduproject.com.ng/n-power-drop-your-signatures-in-full-support-as-n-power-permanency-bill-goes-to-another-reading
It was gathered that since the social investment programme of the Federal government was moved from Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, headed by the batter Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq.
The Precise words of the N-teach Beneficiaries over the Delayed Stipends:
The beneficiaries are calling for the immediate resignation of Farouq over the delay in salary payment since she took over the scheme.
“We believe that Hajia Farouq has a selfish agenda to sabotage the effort of the Federal Government to eliminate unemployment as she had continually held on to public money without reasons.
“We are hereby calling on the minister to as a matter of urgency give us reasons why she has deliberately refused to pay volunteers who have exhausted their time, energy and resources offering voluntary service to the Federal Government.
“She should also give volunteers a reason why she was still holding to that position she currently occupies knowing fully well that she is incapacitated in running this all important office as the lives of many Nigerian youth solely depends on this stipend that she had continued to deny them promptly.
“To this end, we shall embark on a peaceful protest both physical and online to demand her resignation, prompt payment of stipend”.
N-power Related News at the National Level
Npower: Apologies as Reps Summoned Sadiya Umar, Payment to commence Friday-Umar
Npower: It was late Thursday, when the Nigerian House of Representative summoned the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development- Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq on an account of non-payment of January’s stipends to Npower Volunteers
Reps members representing their various constituencies where alerted by volunteers via various digital platforms on the dalliance of January stipends
The Batter Minister was seriously questioned on her negligence and non-charlatan attitude to graduates of the Federal republic of Nigeria.
Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq and her unreserved apology
Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq gave her unreserved apology on the matter while promising to pay immediately even before Friday.
She was summoned by the House of Reps to address the issues of constants delay of stipends of the Federal Government massive Poverty alleviation program (Npower)
Last Week, the Minister of Finance in an interview with NTA TUESDAY LIVE , the honorable Minister of Finance, on NTA Tuesday Live, made it clear that all the funds needed to pay all the beneficiaries of the Npower Program and the NSIP as a whole have been released to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development headed by Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq
The Finance Minister ZAINAB HAMED, in her right and precise words, disclosed that “we have released fund for n-power long before now, and the fund is with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, it is left for the minister in charge to make payment as at when due”.
The honorable Minister of Finance, on NTA Tuesday Live also talked about the exit package. She said they are thinking of giving out small loan to the batch they are exiting, she never mentioned permanency. Making the situation complex to understand
In her correct words,
the Finance Minister
ZAINAB HAMED said, “the 1st batch of N-power is still on the
program for the fourth year.
They will move to another job to engage another batch.
Bureaucracy Delayed Payment, Funds Released For Payment- Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq
Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq approved funds for immediate payment of January stipends to Npower Volunteers.
N-power:This is coming at a time, when allegation and blame games were traded against the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.
It was gathered that, news got circulated blaming the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq on an account of holding the funds released under her care.
Bureaucracy Delayed Payment
The minister denied all claims holding beneficiaries entitlement, she explains how payment are made and blamed bureaucracy for the delay. Money including stipends:
- All eligible volunteers’ name will be thoroughly reviewed
- Absconders will be separated from those to received stipends
- Names due for payment will be Sent
- Money must be signed by the Accountant General of the Federation
- And must be reviewed by the Audited General of the Federation
- NIBSS will access funds given, reviewed and blend payment process, which take a week and days. Sometimes, payment errors do occur but corrected
So you will now agree with me, I am not holding your stipends, even before I was appointed to heads the ministry, delay of stipends has been on.
The source at the ministry said the funds had been released but stressed that bureaucracy caused the delay in payment.
The source further said the report that the minister refused to pay the volunteers their stipend was not true adding that the report is the handiwork of mischief makers and those who do not mean well for the minster and ministry.
“The minister has approved release of funds for the payment and the stipends would be paid anytime from now. Those calling for the minister’s resignation are mischief makers taking advantage of the system,” the source stated. Beneficiaries are encouraged to attend their PPA, stipends will start to any moment from now
FG to Recruit Batch C, NIBSS Responsible for the Payment Delay- Hamed Zainab
The Federal Government is poised to provide equal opportunity for all unemployed Nigerians, to the end, the government led by Buhari is on the final stage to welcome another set of N-power beneficiaries, Hajia Zainab Hamed, the honorable Minister of Finance explained.
The next few months from now, we will welcome another batch; batch C, possible another 300,000 beneficiaries in to the scheme, the minster continued
We are already on course to reduce if not to eliminate, the rising unemployment level in the country. This is the primary aim of the NSIP program, and billions have been budgeted for this purpose.
When asked about the delay of beneficiaries’ January stipends, the honorable minister disclosed some technical errors on the side of Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), though Funds are already with the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
We experience some technical issues, which will be resolved any moment from now. As you know, close to 500,000 persons are paid monthly on this platform, the system do experience breakdown in technical-no-how.
Bureaucracy Delayed Payment
We sincerely apologise for the delay, beneficiaries will start to smile as next week progresses. Apparently, we have detected and level-up payment platforms in to sub-head to eliminate overburden on one platform.
Seemingly, news got circulated blaming the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq on an account of holding the funds released under her care.
The minister denied all claims holding beneficiaries entitlement, she explains how payment are made. Money including stipends:
- All eligible volunteers’ name will be thoroughly reviewed
- Absconders will be separated from those to received stipends
- Names due for payment will be Sent
- Money must be signed by the Accountant General of the Federation
- And must be reviewed by the Audited General of the Federation
- NIBSS will access funds given, reviewed and blend payment process, which take a week and days. Sometimes, payment errors do occur but corrected
So you will now agree with me, I am not holding your stipends, even before I was appointed to heads the ministry, delay of stipends has been on.
We Released Fund for N-power Long Ago-Min. of Finance ZAINAB HAMED Revealed
- N-power: we released fund for n-power long ago-min. of finance zainab hamed revealed
- Delay in payment will be put to rest soon-Situation Room Assured
- The Minister oflabour and Employment, Mr Chris Ngige- N-power to be reformed
- Lawal yahaya gumau speaks on npower permanency bill
N-power: It is now 12th of the new month, beneficiaries of the n-power program are yet to get their peanut known as stipends, the matter grew worse as beneficiaries keep asking and demanding for answers as to what is keeping the stipends from being paid
In a in interview with HAJIA ZAINAB HAMED, the honorable Minister of Finance, on NTA Tuesday Live, she made it clear that all the funds needed to pay all the beneficiaries of the Npower Program and the NSIP as a whole has been released to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development headed by Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq
The Finance Minister ZAINAB HAMED, in her right and precise words, disclosed that “we have released fund for n-power long before now, and the fund is with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, it is left for the minister in charge to make payment as at when due”.
NTA Tuesday Live Broadcast
The honorable Minister of Finance, on NTA Tuesday Live also talked about the exit package. She said they are thinking of giving out small loan to the batch they are exiting, she never mentioned permanency. Making the situation complex to understand
In her correct words,
the Finance Minister
ZAINAB HAMED said, “the 1st batch of N-power is still on the
program for the fourth year.
They will move to another job to engage another batch.
We have trained them as teacher, agric extension agent, & health extension
workers.
We are planning for them not to return to labor market.
Even looking on how to give out loan to them through GEEP”
In another related development, the budget of the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development was reduced in the 2020 budget, Sadiya Umar in an interview with Daily trust revealed:
“She is sure it has to do with what government has in its kitty. And we as a ministry are looking at other options for other stakeholders to key in and support the government. The government cannot do it alone, we are looking up to other well-meaning Nigerians/philanthropist and organisations to key in to help solve our humanitarian issues”.
Meaning the fund realised by Government through the Ministry of Finance is not enough to meet its target, will this affect payment of stipends?
Beneficiaries Reaction to this Statement
Many beneficiaries are reacting to this statement, some question the integrity of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq
Meanwhile, within the month of January and February, we saw different opinions and view of the situation on payment, and two government functionaries talking about N-power
Delay in payment will be put to rest soon-Situation Room Assured
The delay in payment of stipends to npower beneficiaries seems to be a recurring event; the government has defaulted in payment date, in recent time, payment were made 20 days into the new months-A sad situation considered unhealthy for a government sponsored programme that is captured in the 2020 fiscal spending plan (Budget)
Apparently, many beneficiaries are unable to give their very best due to poor financial moral. Some may have even stopped attending their Place of Primary Assignment (PPA)
But the Npower Situation In the nation’s capital and the Headquarter of the programme has cleared the air.
The situation is housing many staff and even key components of the program, like mr Afolabi and others. In a latest response to a question posed by a beneficiary on Npower official facebook page concerning the delay in stipends.
It was made clearly that, the issue of delay in payment will be put to rest soon; the matter will soon be a story of the past. Knowing fully well that, Npower spending was captured in the 2020 budget of the Federal republic beneficiaries no not to panic.
All beneficiaries are to remain calm and positive as the matter is tabled for discussion by officials to the authority concerned. This delay will not repeat its self- Situation Room Assured
In a Related Development- A futuristic exit Amidst Options Await Batch A
In a mind blowing interview with Daily trust newspaper, one of the leading national dailies in Nigeria, The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq disclosed what next for Batch A.
The minister was quite promising and optimistic of batch A exiting the programme with much hope, by hope we meant, not left in the ditch as a street mulls.
She went on to say, there is no need for batch A to panic, remain in you PPA while you earn and save, we are much on course to deliver a futuristic exit package for all before the year run out.
In her correct and precise words with Daily trust, the minister said “we are looking at all options for the planned exit. We are not just going to exit them and leave them to their fate, we have options, and we are exploring these options. We will have a futuristic exit so that they can have something to fall back on, the year has just started; we hope that before the end of the year, we should come up with an exit plan for them”
Reaction to Statement of the Minister by Volunteers
Many volunteers have expressed fear and worries about the exit plan:
Till now, the NSIP have not concluded the much promised glorious exit package, when will they address the issue? An online source lamented.
Adam Sule (Name Changed): they have been looking for option. This people should stop fooling around. We understand that there are no jobs in the country and they got no ideal on how to create jobs for the youths. The only job space is for their children abroad who will soon be graduates. But they can still do something if they are not selfish without touching the treasury account.
They can give startup money like 500-1m from those billions they’ve claimed they recovered. Am very sure, 60% of the volunteers will make very good use of the money. Trust me. Some of them might even create employment to some youths again. So, they should do the needful and stop looking for option that is not hidden under a rock.
Meanwhile, the minister’s statement came at a time, whenThe Ministerof labour and Employment, Mr Chris Ngige and Senator lawal yahaya gumau, Chairman, Senate Committee on Social Investments and Poverty Alleviation made separate statement on the next plan of the government on the program
The Minister of labour and Employment, Mr Chris Ngige- N-power to be reformed
Last week, we saw the minister of labour and employment, Mr Chris Ngige, disclosing the intention of the federal government to reform the N-power programme for a robust outcome.
Mr Ngige while interacting with some beneficiaries in Tetralog Nigeria Limited and ANAMCO Motor Assembly plant, in Enugu state of Nigeria, made this statement
According to AIT news, Ngige, a minister of the federal republic, on a trip to Enugu state Nigeria. Assured N-power Beneficiaries, who are been trained in auto mobile repairs and maintenance
Ngige in his correct words “says the N-Power programme of the Federal Government will undergo various reformations to actualize its set objective.” This statement is coming at the pick of Batch A disengagement plan, also known as glorious exist
Lawal Yahaya Gumau Speaks On Npower Permanency Bill
In a related development, Senator representing Bauchi south senatorial districts lawal yahaya gumau speaks on npower permanency bill, he is proposing for the adoption and creation of agency for National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).
Being the chairperson, Senate Committee on Social Investments and Poverty Alleviation, he suggested the absorption of all npower beneficiaries, in all categories into the civil service to curb the rising unemployment crisis in the country.
As the Chairman, Senate Committee on Social Investments and Poverty Alleviation, senator Lawal Yahaya Gumau wants Nigerian Youths to be productive and engaged.
To tide in the problems of national insecurity, the country must empower her youths. This must come from the Federal Government; the country must rise up to her responsibility and put an end to youth restiveness- Lamented by a senator.
Any nation who fails to explore and empower her youths, is setting on a time bomb. The federal government must show sincere courage and will, to massively invest in her youths. Anything short of this, will spell doom for the nation
The motion was seconded and supported by more than half of the 9th senate. If this motion scales through, it will see many youths, from all works of life engaged.
Actively empowered not just to provide food for themselves, but to empower others, thus curbing unemployment at a long run
1 comment
May Allah help us to get a permanent job
At the end of the programe