COVID 19-Gbajamiala,Lawan faults mode of distribution of-relief-package

The leadership of the National Assembly has tackled the federal government over the disbursement of the Social Investment Programme (SIP) funds during the coronavirus lockdown. 

 

Speaking with Sadiya Umar Farouq, minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management, and social development, in Abuja on Tuesday, April 7, The NASS leaders, Femi Gbajabiamila of House of Representatives and Senate president bemoaned how the money is being disbursed. 

 

They argued that those who ought to be beneficiaries are partly left out because of the ministry's current arrangement. 

 

The NASS leaders called for efficiency and effectiveness in the arrangement and submitted that there must be a review of the way the SIP programme is being handled under the current lockdown. 

 

“I want to tell you that the majority of those who are supposed to benefit have no access to power. They have no access to the Internet. 

 

"They have no bank account, so no BVN.  In fact, many of them don’t even have phones and these are the poorest of the poor. 

 

“Now with coronavirus, they need our attention more than ever before.  The time has come that we review the ways and manner we use to deliver the services under the SIP to Nigerians. 

 

“We need to be better in terms of strategy for delivery and definitely, what we have been doing in the past cannot deliver exactly what will solve the challenges of the most ordinary and most vulnerable Nigerians," Senate president, Ahmed Lawan said. 

 

The Nation reported that the transfer of N20,000 by the federal government to poor households in the Kwali area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja has begun. 

 

Sadia Umar-Farouk, the minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management, and social development, on Wednesday, April 1, said that this is part of President Muhammadu Buhari's plan to help vulnerable Nigerians to cope with the lockdown order over coronavirus.