Over 1000 beneficiaries of the N-Power programme, an initiative of
the Federal Government aimed at reducing unemployment have decried the
non-payment of their two months stipends.
The aggrieved
beneficiaries from different local government areas who stormed the
Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo state Council
refuted report by one Emmanuel Yakubu who claimed to be the State
Coordinator saying they have been paid.
Spokesperson for the
beneficiaries, Mr Tolulope Temitayo, in a statement expressed
disappointment over the neglect of some duly registered members in the
payment process of December and January stipends while other in the
scheme have been paid.
Tolulope
noted that many volunteers in some local government areas especially
Egor with over 450 beneficiaries are yet to receive any payment. He then
demanded that the self-acclaimed state coordinator appear from his
hiding and explain what happened to their stipend.
He stated, “We
will like to know the N-Power Coordinator in Edo state. The claim that
all N-Power volunteers have been paid in Edo State is false.
“No
single N-Teachers have been paid in some local government area
especially Egor. Many volunteers have not been paid in Oredo, Owan West,
Ikpoba Okha, Etsako West, Esan Central, Ovia North East, Owan East,
Ovia South West and others.
“Some N-Agro volunteers have not been
paid in Egor Local Government area and we want to ask, what really
happened to the original list? Why some volunteers are paid
December-January while others are completely neglected. Even with the
fact that we were all successfully schemed.
“We will like to know the N-power Coordinator in Edo state and when we should be expecting our outstanding stipends,” he stated.
