Osinbajo orders expansion of social investment programme

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has ordered that the administration’s Social Investment Programmes (SIP) be promptly expanded in coverage to enable more Nigerians benefit.

The Acting President gave the directive on Tuesday after receiving the SIP Update Report.

While Osinbajo was impressed with the progress so far made under each of the programmes, he however directed that urgent expansion be made across the country.

A statement released by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the president on media and publicity, Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande, revealed that over a million Nigerians are now beneficiaries of SIP including, 57,234 interest free loans given to artisans, traders.

He said, “No less than 25 million meals have been served under the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, (SIP), of the Buhari administration, even as the Presidency is now implementing a huge ramp up of the Social Investment Programmes as directed by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

“At the end of last month, the Buhari administration has spent a total N41,714,793,293 across all the 36 states and FCT implementing different aspects of the four Social Investment Programmes.

“But a far more significant and urgent ramp-up of the social investment spending is now on the way as directed by Prof. Osinbajo.”

Giving a breakdown of the total number of meals served, the statement disclosed that 1,051, 619 million primary school pupils are now being fed across the seven states of Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, and Zamfara state and that no less than 11,847 cooks have also been employed.

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“Altogether 8,587 schools are involved in those states. Indeed possibly, later in the week, more meals will be served as Delta and Abia states are now ready to be paid under the Federal Government school feeding scheme.

“Specifically, Delta State is expected to receive soon, a sum of N63, 366, 100 to start the feeding of 90, 523 primary school pupils. In the same vein, Abia State is also expected to receive N42, 921, 200.

“Besides, Kaduna State has now been repaid N3.4B for its past expenses implementing the food programme ahead of FG’s roll-out.

“In a breakdown of the over N41billion so far spent on the SIPs, N-Power, which is the job programme for unemployed graduates has received N26.418 billion, being the single largest spending item out of the four social investment programmes under the 2016 Appropriation,” the statement noted.

 

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