N-Power: Despite Farouq's Claim, Beneficiaries Still Lament Non-payment Three Days After

   

Several N-Power beneficiaries have said they have not received their April stipends, disputing a statement by Sadiya Farouq, the Nigerian minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, AllNews reports.

Farouq had last weekend announced the payment of April stipends to N-Power beneficiaries and further hinted at plans to streamline the programme for better efficiency upon payment of May stipends.

The minister’s announcement came against the backdrop of the outcry by the beneficiaries for their April stipends amid the economic impacts of the restrictions to contain the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria.

However, following the reports of the minister’s announcement, some beneficiaries who reached out directly to AllNews and reactions monitored on social media expressed disagreement, saying no payment was made to them.

They called for the resignation of the minister, saying that the delay in monthly payments since she took over the control of the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIPs) had caused them hardship.

In August 2018, the Federal Government of Nigeria engaged additional 300,000 beneficiaries in the second batch of its N-Power Volunteers Corp effective to add to the roughly 200, 000 pioneer volunteers.

Batch A beneficiaries are widely expected to be exited soon, while Batch B's duration in the programme ends July this year.

The beneficiaries who are Nigerian graduate youths are paid a stipend of N30, 000 (approximately 77 US Dollars) monthly.

The FG had stated its intent for the scheme to become the largest post-tertiary employment programme in Africa.

Many Twitter users are still rejecting the minister’s claim of payments.

See recent reactions below:

 

@ShehuSani please distinguish, as at today 26th may 2020, no Npower volunteer, has receive April stipends, this audio payment must stop, please give us ur voice pic.twitter.com/gCAzmqxD23

— BuchiOgu (@BuchiOgu) May 26, 2020

 

 

Good evening Sir/Ma, please am one of the Npower beneficiary from Abia State, Nwaubani Kelechi is my name I have not received my March and April stipend, God bless you as you work on it thanks. https://t.co/4NSjQNlJwj

— Nwaubani Kelechi (@NwaubaniKelech1) May 26, 2020

I haven't been paid for the month of March and April stipend, please help me out of this hardship of not receiving stipend for months now, this is affecting my family livelihood. #NpowerNG

— Ajenifuja Olusegun (@AjenifujaOluse2) May 26, 2020

Its going to 3months now,most of Npower Beneficiary have not collect March And April stipends, Amidst the global pandemic,even now they are paying randomly claiming is technical issue till,pls help us and reach to Mrs fadiya thanks@MobilePunch @ShehuSani@npower_ng

— Eva Blazing Viva (@Chinazo98398594) May 26, 2020

I have not seen my march and April stipend uptill now but I have faith it will come.abi Mrs npower handle?

— Kennis (@OkaforE43620206) May 26, 2020

#NpowerWeeps @Sadiya_farouq enough of the lies and deceit. @NGRPresident @MBuhari @aishambuhari @nassnigeria @info_npvn @npower_ng @Npower_Reps @PremiumTimesng @NHGSFP @renoomokri @Sadiya_farouq is incompetent to handle that ministry. #npowerweeps

— Moshood olayinka (@Mshow07) May 26, 2020

Dear @npower_ng, pls is it deliberate that you skipped those that weren't paid March stipend again? Its unfair! our colleagues have received two months stipends so far and we are yet to get any, while you continuously keep telling us payment is ongoing.

— Fatima (@Fatima_Musa09) May 25, 2020

EXPOSED!!!

At least, up to 95% @npower_ng volunteers are yet to be paid.

Hon Minister,@Sadiya_farouq, stop misinforming Nigerians to gain personal reputation. They are graduates for crying out loud.

Please, share for Nigerians to see the lies from the pit of hell.

But, why?

— Babatunde Oyeyemi™ (@baboyed1000) May 25, 2020

READ ALSO: N-Power: FMARD PACE Extends Enumeration Project To N-Teach, N-Health Beneficiaries

In reaction, the official Twitter handle of the famed scheme as usual asked for patience.

 

It will come sir, please remain patient.

— N-Power (@npower_ng) May 26, 2020