The suspension of the National Social Investment Program Agency (NSIPA) operational accounts has caused severe delays in the country’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He highlighted that the halt in critical social welfare programs, such as conditional cash transfers, small business grants, and school feeding initiatives, directly contradicts the President’s mandate to alleviate poverty and empower Nigerians.
These programs, essential for supporting vulnerable populations, have been stifled by the ongoing account freeze, resulting in widespread disruption of services meant to uplift the most disadvantaged citizens.
Kalu emphasized that the suspension not only threatens the immediate well-being of beneficiaries but also undermines long-term efforts to combat poverty and promote sustainable economic development.
By preventing the implementation of these programs, the government risks falling short of its poverty reduction goals and failing to meet its SDG targets by 2030.
The freeze also negatively impacts the government’s credibility, as citizens begin to question the administration’s commitment to its welfare programs.
The situation has led to significant public disillusionment, with many Nigerians expressing frustration over the government’s inability to manage and disburse funds meant for social welfare.
Public confidence in the effectiveness of NSIPA and other related programs has been severely undermined, as the ongoing freeze casts a shadow over the administration’s poverty alleviation agenda.
Kalu warned that unless swift action is taken to resolve the issue, there could be long-term damage to the nation’s development plans.
Kalu called on the government to prioritize lifting the freeze on the NSIPA accounts to restore confidence in its ability to manage and execute programs designed to tackle poverty.
He stressed that failure to act quickly would only prolong the administrative paralysis and further delay the achievement of national and international development objectives.
As the end of the year approaches, there is growing concern that if the accounts are not unfrozen, critical funds allocated for these programs may lapse, leaving countless vulnerable Nigerians without the support they desperately need.
