"The National Social Investment Programme is more than a Poverty Alleviation Programme. It is the largest single provision in our budget, and one of the five (5) Pillars of our National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (NERGP). Our greatest resource is not Oil, but the talent and can-do spirit of Nigerians.
Acting President speaks of "A future where we truly grow what we eat, and where we are able to add value to our products before export." He recalls the launch of the Anchor Borrowers Programme by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2015, in Kebbi. Today more than 400,000 farmers in Kebbi have benefited.
No doubt, Boko Haram has been degraded as a military force. The major task for us now is to ensure we are able to stop suicide bombings and kidnappings. We are no longer importing grain to feed displaced people in the Northeast. We are now buying and using our own grain. We are no longer importing grain to feed displaced people in the Northeast. We are now buying and using our own grain. We have ensured our farmers are the major beneficiaries of our School Feeding programme"."We are doing this to demonstrate that we are capable of rehabilitating our own people,and rebuilding our own cities. We have introduced transparency to the management of the Federation Account, ensuring that all monies due are remitted. A previous administration ,earning more than $100/bbl, did not pay Paris Club Refunds, or Cash Calls. This government, earning 60% less revenue, is doing everything.President Muhammad Buhari - PMB has always insisted that Federation Account must be transparent, and all books open. I am sure the Governors agree we have done our best. The future belongs to the progressive tendencies in our polity. Our victory in the 2015 elections was not a fluke. Our people understand that the task of clearing decades of debris will take time. But we must also keep faith with them, and deliver."
Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments, Mrs Maryam Uwais also gave an address at the Federal Government Progressive Governors Forum.
"Our Social Investment Programme is tied to the Bank Verification Number, to ensure transparency & promote financial inclusion.
Government Enterprise & Empowerment Programme (GEEP)—Collateral-free Loans to cooperative societies. No interest, only a 5% administrative fee. Managed by Bank Of Industry (BOI).
Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT)—stipends to poorest Nigerians, based on Social Register compiled with the support of World Bank. 70,000 are already being paid.
Homegrown School Feeding Programme (HSFP) - provides one free meal to Primary School children daily.
The food for the Homegrown School Feeding Programme is supplied by local farmers within the benefiting communities, and prepared by local cooks.
In one State a bank was colluding with Government officials to shortchange the School Feeding Programme. Kids were being fed biscuits. We have reported to the Government. We found that the bank was paying the cooks only half the funds, and sharing the other half with Government officials. One woman came with a Ghana Must Go bag to collect N10,000 CCT stipend. Said she had no idea how much it was because she had never seen that much money in her life.".More photos below.
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