The House of Representatives on Wednesday unveiled plans to investigate the utilization of the multi-billion naira approved for the Conditional Cash Transfer program from 2016 to date.
The resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Abass Adigun, who emphasized the need for accountability in the use of public funds.
In his lead debate, Hon. Adigun noted that in September 2016, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the World Bank, developed a Social Safety Nets Programme. The National Cash Transfer Office was tasked with implementing the Household Uplifting Programme–Conditional Cash Transfers, which caters to poor and vulnerable households across the country.
“The House is aware that the program was conceived as part of the Federal Government’s broader growth and social inclusion strategies aimed at addressing key social concerns in the country.
“The House is cognizant that, to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the program, in August 2024, nominees for the program were informed that they would receive N50,000 each for three months. Their details were submitted online through a dedicated portal and subsequently forwarded to the National Cash Transfer Office.
ALSO READ: Rivers: Senate defers voting on state of emergency to 3pm
“The House is also cognizant that the payment was to be made directly to the nominees’ bank accounts nationwide, aiming to cushion the effects of economic hardship on the beneficiaries, who are mostly poor and vulnerable.
“The House is concerned that while some nominees received payments months after their information was submitted, others have not received any payment. Additionally, the National Cash Transfer Office has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the delayed payments.”
To this end, the House mandated the joint Committees on Poverty Alleviation and Humanitarian Affairs to investigate the delay in payments to nominees of the Household Uplifting Programme–Conditional Cash Transfer of the Federal Government of Nigeria and report their findings within four weeks for further legislative action.
and then