The House of Representatives Committee on NG-CARES has commenced an investigation into the implementation of the federal government’s $696 million (N1.06 trillion) Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) social intervention programme.
The committee’s chairman, Hon. Abubakar Kusada, who disclosed this while briefing journalists after the panel meeting, said the investigation became inevitable since the masses were not feeling the impact of the palliatives and safety nets despite the federal government fulfilling its funding obligations.
Kusada said the committee, in exercise of its powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, resolved to commence an immediate and complete investigation of the NG-CARES programme to unravel the disconnect and ascertain the propriety of spending the vast sums provided by the government for the administration of social welfare.
He said: “a total of $696 million or N1.06 trillion has been released as social intervention, safety nets and palliatives to Nigerians in the 36 states and the FCT, through the various Delivery Platforms.
“It is therefore most surprising that the effect of these palliatives is not being felt by the target vulnerable groups in Nigeria after the government has committed so many resources to this purpose through the States.
There is still a loud cry of government neglect of the plight of Nigerians enduring the brunt of economic reforms.
“The envisaged investigation should answer the following nagging questions that create the disconnect between cause and effect: Were the funds embezzled? Were the funds misappropriated or diverted to serve other purposes in the state?
“Did utilising the funds create enough value for money (VFM). In other words, was there an undue inflation of contracts? Can the integrity and fairness of the procurement process stand scrutiny? In other words, did the contract procurement follow due process?
“Did the inbuilt safeguards such as Independent Verification Agents (IVAs), and Third Party Monitors (TPMs), operate effectively, or did they become compromised and fail? Was the distribution of notional amounts fairly done? Why did some states manage to get more than the attributable notional amounts?
“Why did the operational mechanism fail in several states? How can the operational mechanisms and Delivery Platforms (DPs) be strengthened across the states? Should training workshops be organised for NG-CARES operatives in the states to strengthen the operational mechanisms and effectiveness of the delivery platforms?”
Lamenting the state of affairs, Kusada said, “Several states have claimed ₦billions for social transfer. These beneficiaries are Nigerians who can be reached. If fake names have been used to assert social transfer, we will say so.
“States have collected ₦billions for Agric Inputs and services, for Labour Intensive Agric Infrastructure, for Procurement of Agric Assets, and Development and Upgrading of Wet Markets and Storage Facilities.
“If we verify these claims, we will also disclose their impact on the food supply, prices, and plight of ordinary Nigerians. If we cannot verify the claims, we will name and shame the affected states and insist that the right thing be done.”
