By Ignatius Okorocha
Disturbed by the recent face off between the Presidency and the National Assembly over mode of implementation of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has assured of change of approach in subsequent disbursements .
Recall that the leadership of the National Assembly had on Tuesday is week faulted the way the Social Investment Programme of the Federal Government is being implemented and called for an enabling legislation in line with global best practices.
The apex legislature had also on Wednesday through its leadership urged the Executive arm of government to ensure equity and fairness in the distribution of the stimulus package to poor Nigerians across the country.
Consequently, Social Investment Programme Minister in responding to the criticism raised by the National Assembly leadership on Thursday,assured that she would address the issues raised the legislative arm of government.
She specifically promised that her ministry will widen the scope of the scheme in the direction of the poorest of the poor in rural areas across the country and as well digitize the next payment processes .
“I assure you that by the next payment, we must have started the digitization process of disbursement.
“The ministry in consultations with state governors, have agreed to come up with accurate data on primary schools, so as to streamline the food rationing to households”, she said.
She added that her ministry has obtained a comprehensive and digitized register that will put an end to fears raised by National Assembly on both the school feeding programme and the vulnerable people.
“Required reforms aimed at implementing a good scheme for the poor and in particular, disbursement of packages as palliatives to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 on the vulnerable Nigerians, are already put in place .
“Issues raised by the leadership of the National Assembly on implementation of the disbursement of packages to assuage the plight of poor Nigerians will be tackled in a manner that will lay to rest the reservations of Nigerians”, she stressed.
