Hope has been rekindled for thousands of N-Power beneficiaries across the country following a decisive intervention by the Senate, which has led to a breakthrough in the long-standing delay over payment of N81 billion in outstanding allowances.
The lifeline came yesterday after the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, brokered an agreement between the Federal Government, representatives of the aggrieved beneficiaries, and their legal counsel, Barrister Abba Hikima.
During a tripartite meeting in his office, Senator Jibrin revealed that the beneficiaries, owed allowances dating back to 2022 and 2023, had agreed to suspend legal action after assurances were given by the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development on government’s readiness to clear the debt.
“The beneficiaries came to the Senate to seek intervention. I reached out to the Minister, who was very responsive. He clarified that preparations for payment were already underway,” Senator Jibrin told journalists.
“With this assurance, the beneficiaries agreed to step back from litigation and trust the process. This is a government that listens and acts in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu,” he added.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development explained that the backlog, which was part of the 2022 and 2023 recurrent budgets, had not been paid due to procedural delays.
He noted that while there was no specific provision for the arrears in the 2024 and 2025 budgets, the Ministry had secured a service-wide vote approval and was now waiting for implementation to commence.
“We’re not denying the debt. It is a priority issue that must be resolved. We are hopeful that with the implementation of this year’s budget, the payments will be made before the year ends,” the Minister stated.
Barrister Abba Hikima, who represents the beneficiaries, confirmed that litigation has been halted following the federal government’s commitment.
“My clients are owed N81 billion. However, we appreciate the transparency shown during this meeting. With the assurances given, we have agreed to stay all legal action and give government the benefit of the doubt,” Hikima said.
Chairman of the N-Power Beneficiaries in Nigeria, Mr. Kehinde James, expressed gratitude to Senator Barau for championing their cause and thanked the two ministers present for their pledges to resolve the matter promptly.
This Senate-facilitated resolution marks a turning point for thousands of Nigerian youths who have been anxiously awaiting the fulfillment of their entitlements under the N-Power scheme.
