Non payment of Stipends: NSIP Calls For The Probe Of Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq

The National Body of the Independent Monitors of National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), has vowed to embark on a worldwide protest in collaboration with the NPower beneficiaries, if the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development fails to fulfil its obligations towards the organisation.

The Body also called on the swift intervention of the Senate President into the affairs of the stated ministry.

This was contained in a letter of protest which was signed by Oladosu Segun and addressed to the president of the Senate on Thursday, 9th of April, 2020.

While expressing their grievances, the NSIP national body disclosed that the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq
has failed in her duty, owing to the fact that she demonstrates negligence, lackadaisical attitude and indifference to the plight of the members of the national body.

According to the letter, “Until the change in the administrative process of the scheme, we enjoyed smooth operation; our allowances were paid as and when due and we were trained from time to time. We have been afflicted so much by some of the policies of the Honourable Minister.”

“When she newly assumed the office as the Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, she refused to pay our remunerations for three (3) months. She later paid us due to the intense pressure from the NPower beneficiaries. We did not join the protest; our resolve was to be patient with her, since her rhetoric then was “I am still studying the entire programme”, “there are administrative procedures to go through” et cetera.”

Further noting their displeasure at the Minister’s maltreatment, the letter stated that, “if allowed, the Minister will see giving excuses as a norm,” adding that the organisation’s January allowance was paid three weeks back.

The National Body of the NSIP, therefore, demanded that all outstanding payments must be paid with immediate effect, adding that the Minister must strive to support the legacy of President Buhari.