Reps launch probe into ₦1 trillion NG-CARES palliative programme

The House of Representatives has opened a full-scale investigation into the Nigerian Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme, following public complaints that the initiative has failed to ease the economic hardship it was created to address despite over ₦1 trillion in funding.

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The Chairman of the House Committee on Social Development and NG-CARES, Abubakar Kusada (APC, Katsina), told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that the investigation would examine every stage of the programme’s implementation to uncover why the much-publicised palliative scheme has not translated into real relief for millions of vulnerable Nigerians.

.According to him, the investigation will seek to establish whether the problem lies in mismanagement, diversion of funds, operational failures, or a breakdown of accountability mechanisms at the state level.

Mr Kusada said the House had been inundated with complaints from ordinary Nigerians, civil society groups, and community leaders who have alleged that the scheme has either bypassed its intended beneficiaries or been hijacked for purposes other than its original mandate.

The public outcry, he noted, has grown particularly intense in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates, which have driven up prices and deepened poverty for many households.

While the pandemic’s immediate effects have eased, the Tinubu administration decided to retain and expand the programme as part of its Renewed Hope Agenda, repurposing it to cushion the inflationary shockwaves of ongoing reforms.

Under its first four-year cycle, known as NG-CARES 1, the government committed to disbursing funds in four tranches to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, based on agreed performance indicators.

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Mr Kusada disclosed that the fourth and final tranche had only recently been released, bringing the total sum disbursed so far to approximately $696 million, which is equivalent to ₦1.06 trillion at current exchange rates.

He, however, expressed worry over the reality on the ground, stressing that it did not reflect the scale of investment made.

According to him, despite the vast sums released, large segments of the population have not seen or felt the benefits.

He questioned whether the funds had been deployed in line with their intended purposes, pointing to reports that some states have claimed billions for social transfers, agricultural support, or small business grants without any verifiable impact in their communities.

The committee’s investigation, he stressed, will not be limited to financial tracking. It will also scrutinise the fairness of procurement processes, the integrity of beneficiary lists, and the operational performance of delivery platforms.

He suggested that in some cases, fake names might have been used to claim benefits under the social transfer component, while in others, infrastructure and agricultural projects allegedly funded under the programme may not exist in reality or may have been delivered at inflated costs.

Mr Kusada warned that if the allegations of diversion or mismanagement are substantiated, the states involved would be compelled to refund the money and properly apply it for its intended use.

He also said that any abuse of the procurement process would be referred to the Bureau of Public Procurement and relevant anti-graft agencies for immediate action.

The lawmaker acknowledged that the stakes are high. In his view, the political consequences of a failed palliative programme of this scale could be severe, as Nigerians are increasingly linking their hardship to government neglect.

“If the funds have been properly applied to provide social safety nets for vulnerable Nigerians, then Nigerians in search of safety nets and palliatives can be told where to look to find them.

“If the funds have been diverted, the affected states should restore the funds and utilise them properly. If there has been a gross mismanagement of funds, the people will know that the funds for palliatives have been misused, and who to hold responsible,” he added.

Past programmes such as the Conditional Cash Transfer and elements of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme have faced similar criticism over alleged “ghost beneficiaries” and alleged inflation of beneficiary numbers to justify disbursements.

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Mr Kusada insisted the present investigation is not a witch-hunt but a necessary exercise of the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight powers under Sections 88 and 89.

The ultimate goal, he said, is to re-establish the link between the resources provided by the federal government and the tangible relief felt by the people.

About the NG-CARES

The NG-CARES programme, initially launched in 2021 as the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus, was conceived as an emergency social protection and economic recovery intervention to shield citizens from the devastating impact of the pandemic.

The design of NG-CARES is ambitious. It is built around three “Result Areas” (RAs) intended to address social safety nets and basic services, improve food security, and support the recovery of micro and small enterprises (MSEs).

Each area is further broken down into specific “Disbursement Linked Indicators” (DLIs), ranging from cash transfers and labour-intensive public works to agricultural inputs, wet market upgrades, matching grants for small businesses, and technology enhancement support.

In theory, the structure is meant to guarantee that vulnerable households, struggling farmers, and small-scale entrepreneurs can quickly access financial relief, tools, and opportunities to rebuild their livelihoods.

To ensure transparency, the system incorporates Independent Verification Agents and Third-Party Monitors, while implementation is carried out through established delivery platforms such as the Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), FADAMA, State Cash Transfer Units (SOCU), and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).