Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has stated that plans are underway to rejig the Npower scheme in a bid to accommodate more people and ensure prompt payment of beneficiaries’ stipends.
Edu made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday by her Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr. Rasheed Zubair, in Abuja.
According to the statement, the Minister stated that the challenges faced by Npower beneficiaries in terms of delays in payment of their stipends would soon be addressed.
She stated that in a bid to restructure the Npower scheme, the Federal Government “will change the modalities so that people will get their delayed stipends, include more people, and relaunch it with a renewed hope concept,” she said.
Edu also stated that the ministry is planning to construct humanitarian hubs across the country’s 774 local government areas, which he described as a long-term goal towards reducing poverty in Nigeria.
She stated that the hubs will house homegrown commodities that will be marketed at lower prices to Nigerians.
The announcement also stated that the ministry would deploy workers to all local government regions to get feedback, in addition to digitally tracking the palliatives.
The digital tracking of palliatives, according to the statement, is intended to determine the time, location, household, and individuals to whom they are administered.
“This is to ensure transparent and effective disbursement of palliatives; we also plan to bring on board independent monitors to ensure the relief materials reach those in need.
Under my watch, the ministry will address poverty through job creation and cash transfers to poor Nigerians.
“We will ensure engagement with the Nutrition Department, the establishment of micro, small, and medium enterprises, and the provision of stimulus to their businesses..
She promised Nigerians her commitment to curbing the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria through prompt responses.
“Nigerians should be rest assured that all existing empowerment schemes within the National Investment Programme will be rejigged to cover more people effectively.”
Edu further stated that President Bola Tinubu would make massive economic interventions to address the immediate and long-term demands of Nigerians.
Mr. President has a huge economic plan for Nigeria, some with short-term goals and some with long-term goals, and Nigerians should please trust the process,” she said.
