N-Power: National Assembly Leaders Want Buhari To Carry Out NSIP Reforms

Leaders of the National Assembly have tabled a request before President Muhammadu Buhari for the reform of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).

This is part of discussions during the meeting between the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday, with President Buhari.

It will be recalled the three leaders held a closed-door meeting at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.

The meeting comes days after the National Assembly leaders criticized the implementation of the National Social Investment Programme.

The public criticism from the lawmakers also attracted a response from the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment Programme, Maryam Uwais who maintained that the scheme has been doing fine.

Speaking with journalists after Tuesday’s meeting with the President, Lawan again called for reforms in the social investment initiatives.

He said, “This afternoon, we had an engagement with Mr President to discuss with him what we, the leadership of the National Assembly, have resolved and our opinion on various issues regarding the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria and going forward.

“We also believe that it is time to reform the way and manner we implement the Social Investment Programme. This is a very important programme that is to help Nigerians who are poor and vulnerable.

“We believe that having implemented this programme from 2016 to date, we should be reviewing to evaluate the efficacy and efficiency with which we have been implementing this programme.”

The Senate President emphasised the need to have a transparent programme that would impact the people even as he disclosed the Federal Government is considering bringing the request for a stimulus package of N500bn to the National Assembly.