NSIP monitoring team writes Buhari over unpaid three months stipend

The independent monitors of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mrs. Sadiya Umar Farouq, to pay their three months stipends.

The team, in a letter to Buhari on April 27, a copy of which was made available to The Guardian in Osogbo, alleged that the minister had deliberately refused to pay them since February.

The National President of the team, Oladosu Segun, who signed the letter, urged the Presidency to quickly intervene and ensure quick payment of their stipends.

“We implore you to prevail upon the minister to assent to our payment request for the month of February, March and April as the effect of COVID-19 pandemic is hitting hard on us,” he said.

The monitors, who threatened to team up with N-Power beneficiaries to stage a protest if their outstanding stipends are not paid on time, also warned the minister in charge of humanitarian affairs to jettison the idea of disengaging them, saying: “Our engagement contract spelt out some clauses.

“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 minister.

“When she newly-assumed the office as the Minister of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, she refused to pay our remunerations for three months. She later paid us due to the intense pressure from the N-Power 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” and so on.

“Every one of us relies on this stipend to attend to our various basic obligations. Now, there is lockdown everywhere; we believe that this is the best time for the minister to really profess the humanitarian aspect of the ministry.