Federal government has announced the commencement of payment of nine months backlog to N-Power beneficiaries. Npower National Programme ManagThe federaler Dr. Akindele Egbuwalo, said government will soon pay out the backlogs.

He made this known at a meeting with some Npower beneficiaries yesterday in Abuja.

According to the Programme Manager, the temporary suspension of the programme was to address all matters directly affecting beneficiaries with keen focus on the issues of delayed payments of stipends.

In a statement signed by the National Communication Manager, National Social Investment Programmes, (NSIPA), Jamaluddeen Kabi, he said “as a result of the temporary suspension of the programme for thorough restructuring and forensic audit, funds have been recovered from the existing payment service providers and plans have been put in place by the programme to commence disbursement of the 9 months outstanding stipends to beneficiaries from November, 2023.”

The payments will be carried out in installment, he noted.

Egbuwalo assured beneficiaries of complete transparency and accountability,

He said in line with the new agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the N-Power programme will be continued as Renewed Hope Job Creation Programme (RHJCP), under the supervision of the minister, Dr Betta Edu, which will be expanded to target 5 million beneficiaries in 5 years where 1 million youths will be absorbed each year under the graduate and non-graduate stream.

Sani Garba, a beneficiary from Yobe State noted that their concerns was mainly regarding the delayed 9 months stipends, adding that a national protest had initially been planned by different clusters of N-Power beneficiaries due to inadequate information.

“Sir, as you have clearly explained the current situation of payment to us with outmost transparency, myself and other cluster of beneficiaries represented here are assuring you that we have clearly understood your position and taken your assurances, there is no need for any protest,” he said..