Amendment To NSIPA Act 2023 Proposes Transfer Of Agency To Presidency....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, introduced a Bill to amend the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act (NSIPA) 2023, with the primary objective of relocating the agency from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to the Presidency.

The bill, which seeks to amend various sections of the NSIPA Act, aims to place the agency under the direct supervision of the President. Senator Bamidele emphasized the significance of this amendment in ensuring the standardization, transparency, effectiveness, and accountability of the social investment programs. He noted that this change aligns with the commitment to social development as outlined in the Renewed Hope mantra of President Bola Tinubu. The amendment is intended to fulfill Section 17(3) of the Nigerian Constitution, focusing on providing citizens with opportunities for livelihood and suitable employment. This shift is expected to enhance the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas like poverty reduction, education, health, social inclusion, and empowerment.

Read Also We Are Prepared To Make Substantial Investments In Nigeria’s Talent Pool

Former Senate President Acknowledges Flawed Implementation of Social Support

Former Senate President Ahmed Lawan acknowledged that the Ninth Senate passed the NSIPA bill, but its implementation was flawed. He expressed the need for a more effective approach to reach beneficiaries, especially those in rural areas. Lawan emphasized the importance of the National Assembly’s involvement in ensuring the successful implementation of support programs. He criticized the previous process where funds were distributed without adequate consideration for beneficiaries without bank accounts and emphasized the need for the National Assembly’s active role in such initiatives.

Calls to Address Beneficiary Selection and Parliamentary Approval

Senator Seriake Dickson urged lawmakers to utilize the opportunity to address other issues raised during the implementation of NSIPA under the previous administration. He emphasized that the amendment should also encompass the selection process for program beneficiaries. Dickson raised concerns regarding initiatives such as TraderMoni and COVID-19 palliatives that were executed without parliamentary approval and recommended that the committee should address these issues.

Bill Referred to Committee of the Whole for Consideration

Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the bill to the committee of the whole for further consideration, allowing senators to review the bill clause by clause. The NSIPA Act, enacted in May 2023, was established to tackle socio-economic inequalities and reduce poverty among Nigerians. The program comprises four pillars, including the N-POWER Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, and Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, all aimed at uplifting the most vulnerable Nigerians nationwide.