… CALL FOR THOROUGH ALL INCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND SUSTAINABLE ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES.
The National Social Protection Forum (NSPF), a coalition of civil society organizations working on social protection in Nigeria, has expressed deep concern over allegations of mismanagement and corruption within the National Social Investment Program (NSIP).
This was contained in a Press Release by it National Coordinator, Dr Taiwo Benson, made available to the media via electronic mail on Sunday 20 January, 2024.
The statement which commended President Bola Tinubu for his prompt response to the allegations by suspending the concerned officers urged the president to ensure diligent investigations are carried out.
The Presse release reads in part “The National Social Protection Forum (NSPF), a coalition of civil society organizations working on social protection in Nigeria, expresses deep concern over alleged mismanagement and corruption within the National Social Investment Program (NSIP).
“We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the prompt response in suspending officers who were accused of been involved in the mismanagement of funds meant for the effective and efficient implementation of the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIPs). This was rightly followed by constituting a special presidential panel to conduct a thorough review of the Agency’s operations and make recommendations.
“NSPF encourages the Federal Government to unravel the truth regarding the implementation of the NSIP and make far reaching recommendations accordingly. No public servant no matter how highly placed should be spared from facing the full wrath of the law if the outcome of the investigation indicts him or her. Worthy of note is that Nigerians will use the investigation of this high-profile corruption allegations to assess Mr. President’s stance on corruption. We therefore appeal that the investigation of the national social investment programs should be an unbiased process that will ensure that, going forward, social intervention programmes work exactly as intended, to the benefit of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
“The suspension, though commendable, will no doubt affect crucial programs such as N-Power, Conditional Cash Transfer, Government Enterprise and Empowerment, and Home-Grown School Feeding, potentially causing devastating impacts on the lives and livelihoods of the beneficiaries in the interim. We are recommending the lifting of the suspension of the NSIP as soon as the investigations are completed.
“Finally, the NSPF urges President Tinubu to strengthen the implementation of social investment programmes by setting up a strong grievance redress mechanism and involving CSOs in the third-party monitoring of the interventions for transparency, accountability, and efficiency. As a network of civil society organizations working on social protection, we are committed to monitoring the situation, advocating for the rights and welfare of poor and vulnerable Nigerians, who deserve to benefit from the NSIP as a social contract between the government and the people.” it concluded.
READ FULL DETAILS BELOW
National Social Protection Forum (NSPF)
PRESS RELEASE – January 22, 2024
STATE OF THE NATIONAL SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAM: A CALL FOR THOROUGH ALL INCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND SUSTAINABLE ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES.
The National Social Protection Forum (NSPF), a coalition of civil society organizations working on social protection in Nigeria, expresses deep concern over alleged mismanagement and corruption within the National Social Investment Program (NSIP).
We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the prompt response in suspending officers who were accused of been involved in the mismanagement of funds meant for the effective and efficient implementation of the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIPs). This was rightly followed by constituting a special presidential panel to conduct a thorough review of the Agency’s operations and make recommendations.
NSPF encourages the Federal Government to unravel the truth regarding the implementation of the NSIP and make far reaching recommendations accordingly. No public servant no matter how highly placed should be spared from facing the full wrath of the law if the outcome of the investigation indicts him or her. Worthy of note is that Nigerians will use the investigation of this high-profile corruption allegations to assess Mr. President’s stance on corruption. We therefore appeal that the investigation of the national social investment programs should be an unbiased process that will ensure that, going forward, social intervention programmes work exactly as intended, to the benefit of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
The suspension, though commendable, will no doubt affect crucial programs such as N-Power, Conditional Cash Transfer, Government Enterprise and Empowerment, and Home-Grown School Feeding, potentially causing devastating impacts on the lives and livelihoods of the beneficiaries in the interim. We are recommending the lifting of the suspension of the NSIP as soon as the investigations are completed.
Finally, the NSPF urges President Tinubu to strengthen the implementation of social investment programmes by setting up a strong grievance redress mechanism and involving CSOs in the third-party monitoring of the interventions for transparency, accountability, and efficiency. As a network of civil society organizations working on social protection, we are committed to monitoring the situation, advocating for the rights and welfare of poor and vulnerable Nigerians, who deserve to benefit from the NSIP as a social contract between the government and the people.
Thank you.
Dr Taiwo Benson
National Coordinator
