Pay Us Our Money, N-Power Beneficiaries Beg FG

Beneficiaries of the FG's Social Investment Programme, N-Power, on thursday lamented over the delay of their monthly stipends and also appealed to the FG to ensure timely payment in other to  enhance their performance and productivity.

Talking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Some beneficiaries commended the Federal Government for initiating the programme, saying it had transformed their lives tremendously.

They, however, decried the recent development in the delay in payment of their monthly stipends and urged the government to address their plight.

See also - Tension Grips FG, Private Workers Collecting #30,000 N-Power Stipend

Mr Samuel Sanni, N-Power Teach, told NAN that beneficiaries were disappointed not to have received their stipends before Sallah, saying that until now their July stipend is yet to be paid.

He said: 

“Our hope was dashed during the Sallah celebration because our July stipend was not paid even till now. We felt disappointed.

"We are calling on the attention of the Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo, to intervene so that our stipends can be timely paid.’’

Another beneficiary, Mrs Joy Awosanmi, said: 

“We don’t know why our stipend is being delaying now, unlike when we use to get it the same time federal workers get their salaries.

“We want the vice president to speak to us on the matter, because we are hearing rumour that the federal government wants to discontinue the programme.’’ 

The Unit Head of N-Power Programme in Kogi, Mr Femi Bolaji, while speaking to NAN urged the beneficiaries to be patient, assuring them that the situation will soon be sorted out.

"Honestly, payment is made directly from Abuja. N-Power beneficiaries have been making enquiries on their own as to the reason for the delay in the payment of their stipends.

"Abuja has always been responsive and told the beneficiaries to exercise patience.

"My thinking is that since the new ministers and special advisers are to be appointed, processing of such huge bill in excess of N15 billion monthly for beneficiaries nationwide might not be as smooth as it should be, compared to when ministers, special advisers and SSAs were on ground.

"Effort is on to contact the national office to send out a public announcement regarding this recent delay in payment of stipends for N-Power beneficiaries," he said.