N-power Batch C Stream 1 Beneficiaries that will have payment issues

Following the restructuring of the N-Power Programme by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, the intention of some N-power Beneficiaries to play smart will be short-lived.

Beginning with the Batch A and B N-power Beneficiaries, the Ministry taking over the affairs of the N-power Programme in 2020, transferred the N-power payment system to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System server.

The result was that 14,026 beneficiaries were flagged by the Payment System and their Stipends were unpaid from then.

The Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouk on Friday identified broadly three categories of N-power Beneficiaries who were detected by the Government Payment System.

She said:

(1) Beneficiaries having multiple accounts tied to the Government Payment Systems.

(2) Beneficiaries who are already working with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA). 

(3) Beneficiaries who are already participating in other Schemes.

Another category of N-power Beneficiaries who are likely to have payment issues due to BVN linked to the Federal Government Payment System are previous N-power Beneficiaries who reapplied for the programme.

The No 3 included N-power Beneficiaries who are currently participating in the National Youth Service Corps.

According to the Minister, such Categories of N-power Beneficiaries clearly violate the regulations guiding the N-Power volunteer programme and could amount to gross misconduct and corruption.

In the Statement signed by the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Bashir Nura Alkali, the Minister noted that in such case as in the Batch A and B, "where clear violations of the agreements are established, such violators will be subjected to appropriate sanctions as stipulated by the law".

To tighten the loop-hole further, the Minister delegated the duties of verifying the N-power Beneficiaries to NYSC Local Government Inspectors (LIs), and ensuring validation of beneficiaries Bank Verification Number (BVN) through National Social Investment Management System (NASIMS).