AT least 2,500 youths employed under the Federal Government National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) for youth empowerment known as N-Power have been sacked by the government.
Communications Manager of NSIP, Justice Bibiye explained in a statement that the affected 2,500 beneficiaries were dismissed following reports they were absent at their respective places of primary assignment (PPA) in a long time
“Instances have compelled the need for continued action against those who are seen to be undermining the smooth implementation of a well-thought-out federal government social intervention initiative,” Bibiye said.
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The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari established NSIP in 2016 to address poverty and hunger across the country.
While reiterating that the N-Power is not a charity programme, he said everyone captured under the scheme is expected to justify their engagement by demonstrating diligence and hard work to duty at their PPAs.
“Acts of dereliction of duty, absenteeism and indiscipline on the part of volunteers would be dealt with decisively and “in line with the rules of engagement,” he said.
To ensure seamless execution of the programme in order to achieve the set goals, Bibiye said NSIO has increased the number of monitoring partners.
This, according to him, would enhance supervision and strengthening their monitoring for effective and efficient service delivery of all components of the NSIPs.
He urged the media and the public to report cases of absenteeism, adding that strict measures would ensure “fewer cases of misconduct”.
“The public and the media would only be supporting the efforts of the administration to reduce unemployment, by reporting the relatively few indolent, erring volunteers who were lucky to have been selected to serve under such a programme.”
There have been reports that most of the beneficiaries abscond from duty, after collecting a monthly salary of N30,000.
An estimated 500,000 youth across the country are currently enrolled, providing services in establishments spanning schools; primary healthcare centres; agricultural sector; local government offices, among others. Their take-home pay is N30,000 monthly.