Betta Edu
By Our Reporter
The House of Representatives Committees on Constituency Outreach and Poverty Alleviation on Tuesday summoned the Minister of Humanitarian Affair and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu to appear before them for a briefing on the formula adopted for the distribution of the sum of N1.1 trillion conditional cash transfer to 15 million households across the country.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance brought before the House during plenary by the lawmaker representing Irepodun/Olorunda/Osogbo/Orolu Federal Constituency, Osun State, Morufu Adebayo.
Recall that Edu had said that following the approval of the sum of N1.1 trn for the scheme, the ministry would launch the conditional transfer with effect from October 17.
Leading the debate on the floor of the House, Adebayo noted that, “The conditional cash transfer programme is an immediate intervention by the Federal Government to cushion the effect of the removal of petrol subsidy and other economic shocks for vulnerable groups in Nigeria,” adding that the scheme “Is one of the 15 items in the memorandum of understanding between the Federal Government and organized labour on October 2, 2023. Aware that 15 million households will be receiving N25,000 each over three months.”
While regretting that “There has been a lot of unsatisfactory feedback from the ways and manners palliative to vulnerable Nigerians have been handled by some ministries, departments and agencies which has not in any way reduced hardship in the land; it is pertinent to remind this honourable House about the ugly scenario witnessed during the COVID-19 palliative distribution a few years ago, where items from international donors meant to cushion the effect of the pandemic were mismanaged.”
He added that the House is “Further aware that the World Bank country representatives, Shubham Chaudhuri, confirmed that cash transfers are widely applicable to reduce poverty; “Cognisant that the removal of fuel subsidy necessitated the introduction of various programmes, policies and interventions to alleviate and boost the economics of families and small businesses.
“The house is also cognisant that the National Assembly members being closer to the people of Nigeria are meant to represent the interest and concerns of their constituents at the National level and, therefore deserve to be fully briefed and carried along in the implementation process.
“The house is further worried that there is growing suspicion of ways and manners this programme will be implemented. Also worried that the lack of transparent handling of the previous conditional cash transfer programmes has led to corruption and fraud, where funds intended for vulnerable people were misappropriated by individuals.”
Following the adoption of the motion, the House mandated its committees on constituency outreach and poverty alleviation to invite the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, “To give detailed policy documents adopted in allocation and distribution of funds for the conditional cash transfer to ensure transparency and accountability which are fundamental principles of good governance.”
