NSIP: Hasten Edu’s probe or replace her, Reps tell FG

The suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and the subsequent stoppage of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) has caused untold hardship on vulnerable groups in the country, the House of Representatives told the Federal Government yesterday.

The House urged the Federal Government to hasten investigation into allegations of misappropriation of public funds against the suspended minister.

It also asked the Federal Government to place on hold the alleged idea of a new steering committee board under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance to oversee the social investment programmes.

Edu was alleged to have misappropriated funds in the NSIP and was subsequently suspended by President Bola Tinubu.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance by Billy Osawaru (APC-Edo) during plenary in Abuja, the lawmakers argued that the suspension of the programme could lead to a rise in poverty, social unrest and ultimately impacting negatively on the overall stability and development of the country.

Moving the motion, Osawaru explained that the enabling Act of NSIP Agency was enacted in 2023 to address the issue of poverty and hunger across the country and to ensure a more equitable distribution of resources to vulnerable populations, including children, youths and women.

He also noted that since January this year, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development was suspended and placed under investigation while the Chief Executive Officer and National Coordinator of National Social Investment Programme Agency was sacked.

He said that as a result, the implementation of all forms of government intervention such as N-Power Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme and Home-Grown School Feeding Programme that were expected to ameliorate the suffering of people, were placed on hold, pending thorough review of the programme and investigation of the alleged misconduct in the management of the programme.

The House, thereafter, urged the Federal Government to either conclude the investigation on Edu or direct another minister to supervise the implementation of the programme.