The National Social Investment Programme Agency, or NSIPA, will still be subject to National Assembly scrutiny, according to the National Assembly, even if the agency will now be under the Presidency.
Sen. Shehu Kaka Lawn (APC, Borno Central), the chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, made this statement on Thursday after the second reading of a bill to alter the NSIPA Act of 2023 to move the agency “under the direct supervision of the President” was passed.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation currently has control for the NSIPA.
Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly, Lawan stated that although if the agency is under the President’s control, the National Assembly would be diligent in carrying out its monitoring duties.
“If you look at Order 96 of the Senate Rule, the authority of the Senate Special Duties Committees there is clearly stated, and the first is to supervise the Office of the President and the Presidency,” he remarked.
“The Special Duties still apply after moving the agency to the Office of the President. Even if the agency is located in the Villa, we will supervise it.
“We will diligently carry out our supervision job. We won’t skip a beat in our investigation. We’ll see to it that the President’s call for change comes true.
“All hands must be on deck to make sure we get the outcomes based on our committee that we want.”
The member said that the Senate had not yet received a report on the suspension of the N-power scheme, which has left many Nigerians without employment.
We’ll take a look at the enabling Act and the bill we’re currently drafting. We will reinstate the suspension if it is not in Nigeria’s and Nigerians’ best interests.
“We will conduct an investigation if it is necessary. The President and others are the primary sources of oversight, according to Order 96 (55).
We shall continue to perform our supervision duties even after the Social Investment Programme is moved to the President’s Office. The Social Investment Program will continue be under our supervision.
No clause in the measure that was presented to the National Assembly, not even one that provided the President authority, he insisted.