N-Power: 'We Can't Breathe', Says Beneficiaries' Representatives Forum

The 36-state N-Power Representatives Forum has threatened a nationwide protest should the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development fail to 'within three working days completely spell out the transition of Batch A and B to government entrepreneurship programmes', AllNews reports.

In a press statement issued at the weekend, the graduate volunteers asked the Federal Government  to "stop raping us" amid the official confirmation of exit dates for Batch A and Batch B beneficiaries.

Read the full release of N-Power beneficiaries below:

THE 36 STATES AND FCT N-POWER REPRESENTATIVES' FORUM DEMANDS EXPLANATION FROM THE MINISTRY OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS, DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

"Considering the tension that is already in the air as a result of Batch A and B N-Power Volunteers disengagement in this month of June and July, 2020 respectively, the 36 States and FCT N-Power Representatives' Forum demands that the so called transition of Batch A and B to government entrepreneurship program be completely spelt out and very explicit.

"If the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs think she can deceive 500,000 Nigerian Youth who fought so dearly for the current administration to come into power again last year by throwing them into the labour market at this crucial time of pandemic, it is the greatest joke of the century.

"The 36 States and FCT N-Power Representatives' Forum demands the following within 3 working days, otherwise there will be a nationwide protest because we are also Nigerians:
1. Explain in clear terms about the transitioning of Beneficiaries into Government entrepreneurship schemes.
2. Assured the 500,000 beneficiaries of mode of payment in this newly introduced transition scheme.
3. When exactly are you going to pay over 80,000 Volunteers that are owed March, April and May stipends?
4. The entire 300,000 Volunteers of Batch B and some Batch A have not been given the promised device, when are they going to get it?
5. When are you going to pay the backlogs of some Batch A and B Volunteers stipend?

READ ALSO: N-Power Speaks On Unpaid Three-Month Stipends Amid Transitioning

"Nothing short of the above will settle the Beneficiaries at the moment, and we won't hesitate to notify our benefactor President Muhammadu BUHARI, who is the initiator of this program.

"Note: We're not against new beneficiaries coming on board, but exiting us just like that as against the previous intention that we won't go back to the street is the highest form of corruption.

"Federal Government of Nigeria should stop taking the unemployed Youth in Nigeria for granted and should stop raping us because we can't breathe."