The House of Representatives in Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to unfreeze the accounts of the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA) within 72 hours.
The resolution was reached on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 after a motion sponsored by Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu and 32 other lawmakers.
They emphasized the importance of restoring the accounts to facilitate the agency’s poverty alleviation efforts, which include initiatives like N-Power, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT), and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP).
Kalu highlighted that unfreezing NSIPA accounts aligns with the administration’s poverty eradication goals.
“Restoring NSIPA’s accounts aligns with the president’s vision, ensuring that poverty alleviation efforts remain effective, efficient, and impactful,” Kalu stated.
The House also urged the government to release funds to settle outstanding stipends owed to 395,731 N-Power beneficiaries across the country.
President Tinubu had previously suspended all social intervention projects in January, citing corruption scandals within the sector. However, the lawmakers stressed the need for swift action to ensure the continuity of these vital programs.
“This issue must be resolved promptly to maintain the momentum toward the administration’s poverty eradication objectives,” the House resolved.
The NSIPA is tasked with executing crucial poverty reduction initiatives, and the freezing of its accounts has disrupted its operations significantly. The House’s resolution reflects growing concerns over delays in addressing these challenges.
