The federal government of Nigeria has sacked over 2,500 beneficiaries of N-Power, which is the component of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), aimed at addressing the challenge of unemployment among the youths in the country.
Justice Bibiye, communications manager of the scheme, said the beneficiaries were dismissed, following reports that some of them had failed to go to their respective places of primary assignments for a long time.
“Instances have compelled the need for continued action against those who are seen to be undermining the smooth implementation of a well-thought-out federal government social intervention initiative,” he said in a statement.
“N-Power is not a charity programme and, therefore, everyone captured under the scheme is expected to justify his/her engagement by demonstrating diligence, hard work and commitment to duty at their PPAs.
“Acts of dereliction of duty, indolence, absenteeism and indiscipline on the part of volunteers shall continue to be dealt with decisively and in line with the rules of engagement.
“To ensure seamless execution of the programme in order to achieve the set goals, the NSIO has increased the number of monitoring partners, with fresh discussions having commenced in earnest to seek enhanced supervision and the strengthening of monitoring, for effective and efficient service delivery of all components of the NSIPs,” he said.
He challenged the public to report cases of absenteeism, saying that strict measures would ensure that the programme is not jeopardized.
“Field reports reaching us from our independent monitors, the states, the schools and other places of assignment confirm that the vast majority of the volunteers have been of good conduct.
“The public and the media would only be supporting the efforts of the administration to reduce unemployment, by reporting the relatively few indolent, erring volunteers who were lucky to have been selected to serve under such a programme,” he added.
TheCable in January this year, had exposed how beneficiaries of the scheme connived with officials in charge to abscond from duty.
An estimated 500,000 youth across the country are currently enrolled on the scheme, providing services in establishments, which include schools, primary healthcare centres, agricultural sector, local government offices, among others.
They are being paid N30, 000 every month.
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