The Senate, has embarked on an amendment of the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act (NSIPA), 2023 aimed at moving the agency from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to the Presidency.
The bill seeking to amend the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act, 2023, was initiated by Senate majority leader, Opeyemi Bamidele at the plenary on Tuesday.
The bill seeks to amend Sections 9(3), 14(1), 21(1), 22(1), 26(1) and 33 of the NSIPA Act, 2023 by transferring the agency from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to the Presidency.
He added that the bill “will now be directly under the direct supervision of the President.”
He further explained its significance to poverty alleviation and social inclusion, saying the plan to amend NSIPA Act, 2023 “is to ensure that the social investment programmes are standard, transparent, effective and accountable.”
The amendment, according to him, “is in fulfilment of section 17(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.”
Under the section, the state shall direct its policy towards ensuring that all citizens, without discrimination on any group whatsoever, have the opportunity for securing adequate means of livelihood as well as adequate opportunity to secure suitable employment, among others.
Bamidele explained that with this amendment a wide range of sustainable development goals (SDGs) including poverty reduction, education, health, social inclusion and empowerment could be achieved through the NSIPA.
Also, Ahmed Lawan, former President of the Senate at the plenary, pointed out that the 9th Senate passed the bill, though its implementation was flawed because those who should be given support are those in rural areas difficult to reach.
