NASS vows to continue over-sighting NSIP under Presidency

National Assembly would continue to perform its oversight function on the National Social Investment Programme Agency, NSIPA despite its planned movement to the Presidency, the chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Shehu Kaka Lawn (APC Borno Central), has said.

The NSIPA is presently under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

But the Red Chamber on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend NSIPA Act, 2023 to transfer the agency “under the direct supervision of the President.”

Speaking with journalists after a meeting of the committee at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Senator Lawan, however, vowed that his panel would be thorough in over-sighting the agency under the supervision of the President.

He said: “If you look at the Order 96 of the Senate Rule, the jurisdiction of the Senate Special Duties Committees is clearly stated there, and the first is to oversight the Office of the President and the Presidency.

“So transferring the agency to the Office of the President is still under the purview of the Special Duties. We will oversight the agency even if it is domiciled in the Villa.”

“We are going to carry out our oversight function thoroughly. We will not leave any stone on tune. We will ensure that the change mantra of the president is achieved.

“All hands must be on deck to ensure that we achieved the desired results based on our committee.”

On the suspension of the N-power programme which has rendered many Nigerians jobless, the lawmaker said the Senate was yet to receive a report on the suspension of the programme.

“We will look at the enabling act, and the bill we are presently working on now. Were the suspension is not on the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians, we will bring it back.

“If there is the need for investigation, we will do it. Order 96 (55) started clearly that the first place of  oversight is the president and others.

“Bringing the social investment programme to the office of the president will not stop us from carrying out our oversight function. We will still oversee the social investment programme.

“The bill that was laid before the national assembly, no clause give anyone power, not even the president,” he stressed.