WRITTEN BY: CHIOMA MADONNA NDUKWU
The House of Representatives in Nigeria has requested an explanation from the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, regarding the federal government’s plan to distribute N1.1 trillion to 15 million households in the country through the conditional cash transfer program. This program aims to provide a social safety net to help mitigate the effects of removing petrol subsidies and other economic challenges on the country’s poor and vulnerable citizens.This request comes in response to concerns about the transparency and accountability of the program, and it follows a motion of urgent public importance raised by a member of the House. The motion highlighted that the conditional cash transfer was one of the 15 items agreed upon by the federal government and organized labor on October 2, 2023. Under the program, each household is expected to receive N25,000 for three months.The motion also pointed out past issues with the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives, which raised concerns about mismanagement and corruption. In response, the House mandated its committees on constituency outreach and poverty alleviation to invite the minister and gather detailed policy documents regarding the allocation and distribution of funds for the program. These committees are expected to report back to the House within two weeks.
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