Npower News: Presidential Panel On Social Investment Programmes Led by Wale Edu Propose Changes

According to Npower news, the presidential panel on social investment programs, led by Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, has recommended the removal of social intervention initiatives from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

According to Npower News, the presidential panel on social investment programs, forwarded its proposals to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The social investment programs, which includes Npower, Conditional Cash Transfer Program (CCT), Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program (GEEP), and National Home Grown School Feeding Program (NHGSF), are currently under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, with operations handled by the National Social Investment Program Agency (NSIPA).

According to Npower News, the national social investment programs including Npower were suspended as a result of the removal of Betta Edu as the Minster for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu is now under investigation by the anti-graft agency the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged misappropriation of public funds.

The scandal associated with Betta Edu became intense after a memo was displayed publicly, disclosing Betta Edu's request to transfer N585,000,000 to a personal account and documents revealing approvals of air ticket to Kogi, despite the fact that the state has no airport.

Reacting to this, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended Betta Edu as Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and directed the panel, led by Wale Edun, to carry out a comprehensive and holistic investigation on the financial framework of the social investment programs.

The interim report from the panel, propose resuming the programs to alleviate the plight of vulnerable Nigerians. However, it suggests establishing a new board under Wale Edun's leadership to oversee these initiatives, calling for a thorough review and amendment of the National Social Investment Programme Agency's act.

An anonymous government official stressed the need for due process in transferring the programs to a new body, requiring an amendment to the existing laws.

This development comes against the backdrop of the senate's previous moves in October 2023 to place the NSIPA under the presidency, with a bill to that effect passing the second reading in the legislative chamber.

As the nation awaits further actions and responses from key stakeholders, the fate of these crucial social investment programs hangs in the balance, navigating a complex landscape of legal considerations and governance reforms.

Source: https://nigerianbulletin.com/ams/betta-edu-scandal-panel-led-by-wale-edun-recommends-major-changes-to-social-investment-programs.3230/