The Federal Government has announced its readiness to initiate the payment of long-overdue stipends to N-Power beneficiaries, who have been part of the programme, The Herald reports.
This announcement was made by the N-Power National Programme Manager, Dr. Akindele Egbuwalo, during a crucial meeting with beneficiaries of the scheme at his office in Abuja.
Egbuwalo clarified that the temporary suspension of the N-Power program was primarily aimed at addressing issues directly affecting the beneficiaries, with a particular emphasis on the long-standing problem of delayed stipend payments.
He highlighted that this suspension allowed for a thorough restructuring and forensic audit of the program, leading to the recovery of funds from existing payment service providers.
According to Egbuwalo, the program has developed a comprehensive plan to commence the disbursement of the nine months’ worth of outstanding stipends to beneficiaries from November 2023.
The Herald gathered that the payments will be made in instalments, ensuring a smoother process.
Reassuring all beneficiaries about complete transparency and accountability, Egbuwalo emphasised that, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s new agenda, the N-Power program will be rebranded as the Renewed Hope Job Creation Programme (RHJCP).
Dr. Betta Edu, the Honourable Minister, will oversee this transformation, and it aims to expand the program’s reach to target 5 million beneficiaries over the next five years, absorbing 1 million youths each year through both graduate and non-graduate streams.
One of the beneficiaries present at the meeting, Sani Garba from Yobe State, expressed the collective concerns of N-Power beneficiaries, emphasising that their primary grievance was the protracted delay in stipend payments.
He mentioned that some clusters of N-Power beneficiaries had initially planned a national protest due to inadequate information.
However, after Egbuwalo’s transparent explanation of the current situation regarding payments, Garba and the group of beneficiaries he represented indicated their understanding and expressed their willingness to trust in the process, thereby foregoing their earlier protest plans.
In light of this development, all N-Power beneficiaries have been urged to remain patient as they await their payments.
The beneficiaries in attendance at the meeting expressed their optimism and gratitude for the assurances given by the government, which, they believe, will result in the successful implementation of the program and ensure that no beneficiary is left behind in the renewed hope agenda of the Federal Government.