The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has announced that the Nigerian government has begun disbursing salary arrears to N-Power beneficiaries, addressing a longstanding grievance from the past administration.
During an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Minister Edu assured the public that the payment process has commenced and will continue until all beneficiaries receive their overdue salaries. She emphasized the government’s commitment to reducing unemployment and generating employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Highlighting the transparent nature of the initiative, Minister Edu stated that the ministry will leverage technology to ensure public access to the list of beneficiaries participating in social intervention programs through a dedicated portal.
In addition, Minister Edu clarified that the revamped N-Power program has not yet been relaunched by the current administration, as they are still rectifying issues carried over from previous years.
Explaining the delay in salary disbursement, Minister Edu revealed that some beneficiaries were owed for varying periods, ranging from three to eight months. She attributed the delay to complications with a previous payment consultant, which led to significant delays in the disbursement of funds to the beneficiaries.
In response, the government retrieved the funds from the consultant and redirected them to the government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The subsequent scrutiny of beneficiaries caused the process to extend over a substantial period.
The government’s proactive approach to resolving the arrears issue underscores its dedication to addressing financial commitments to citizens and fostering transparency in its social welfare initiatives. As Nigeria advances towards economic recovery and social development, the efficient and equitable management of such programs remains pivotal in ensuring widespread societal progress.
