…says Nigerians not feeling impact
The House of Representatives Committee on NG-CARES on Wednesday began investigation into the implementation of the N1.06trillion ($696 million) Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) social intervention programme of the federal government.
Abubakar Kusada, chairman of the committee, who disclosed this at a briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, said the investigation became necessary, alleging that the masses were not feeling the impact of the social net, despite the federal government fulfilling its funding obligation and providing the guidelines and the operational arrangements for the effective implementation of NG-CARES.
Read also: Nasarawa NG-CARES surpassed its target of 100,000 beneficiaries in 2024 – Coordinator
“A total of $696 million or N1.06 trillion has been released as social intervention, safety nets and palliatives, to Nigerians in the 36 States and the FCT, through the various Delivery Platforms.
“It is therefore most surprising that the effect of these palliatives is not being felt by the target vulnerable groups in Nigeria after the government has committed so many resources to this purpose through the States”, he said.
He noted that there is still a loud cry of government neglect of the plight of Nigerians enduring the brunt of economic reforms. “As at now, the backlash on this matter is such that the people have reserved a day of reckoning for the government at the coming elections”, he said.
The chairman informed that the committee will unravel the disconnect and ascertain the propriety of the expenditure of the huge sums provided by the government for the administration of social welfare.
Read also: NG-CARES: FG releases N438bn to 34 states, FCT
According to the chairman, the investigation should provide answers to the following nagging questions that create the disconnect between cause and effect: Were the funds embezzled? Were the funds misappropriated or diverted to serve other purposes in the state? Did the utilisation of the funds create enough value for money (VFM)?. Was there an undue inflation of contracts? Can the integrity and fairness of the procurement process stand scrutiny? In other words, did the contract procurement follow due process? Among others.
Kusada further lamented that several states have claimed ₦billions for social transfer, necessitating the need to verify the beneficiaries.
‘ If we are unable to verify the claims, we will name and shame the affected states and insist that the right thing be done. Similarly, we will verify the grants and other support purportedly given to MSEs for recovery and economic stimulus”, he said.
