About 206 trained independent monitors of the National Social Investment Programme, NSIP have received thier engagement letters and tablets in Lagos.
The monitoring team is expected to engage in holistic monitoring of all social intervention programmes under the Ministry.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony in Lagos, the Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Saadiya Farouk said that the 206 independent monitors were among the 5,000 trained from February 2021 to April 2021.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Bashiru Alkali mentioned that aside from the monthly stipend of N30,000 to be given, Government has also provided devices which according to her would help to monitor the effectiveness of the programmes and operations of other social intervention programmes by the Federal Government.
Farouk said that the programmes which are being implemented in 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory, was created by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 with the mandate of lifting citizens out of poverty through a number of social interventions.
“The social interventions included the Job Creation Programme — N-POWER, the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), Conditional Cash Transfer Programme (CCT), and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).
“I am here to flag off the distribution of Engagement Letters and Devices for the Trained Independent Monitors in Lagos State. These devices are equipped with an Application that will be used to report on monitoring activities of the trained Independent Monitors.
“Using this Application, the Ministry sees real time report of activities of the Independent Monitors on the Field.
We can view reports submitted and see the NSIP performance indicators by state. Essentially, it will help us deliver on our mandate and contribute to Mr. President’s vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of Poverty,” she said.
Local content
She stressed that the government has been proactive by ensuring that it developed it’s local entrepreneurial scope with the inclusion of technology and this social intervention programme is not left out.
According to her “Let me also say that all devices to be used for monitoring the programme are locally made in Nigeria and the Monitoring Application was designed by an indigenous Company.
The Application, which we called the Social Investment Management Information System (SIMIS), is a mobile and web-based Application designed for Monitoring the National Social Investment Programme.”
She maintained that the move by the federal government will help in the areas of identifying challenges and be able to proffer adequate solution to the happenings on the field.
Tasks
The Minister affirmed that each Independent Monitor is expected to monitor a designated number of beneficiaries of the National Social Investment Programme.
These include; Routine Monitoring of all programmes under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) in their assigned LGA.
Provision of evidence-based report on findings in the field, submission of various categories of reports in accordance with the set timelines.
Attending all trainings and meetings as required by the Ministry among other assigned tasks.
He however urged the beneficiaries to carry out the assignment with outmost sense of patriotism, diligence, and sincerity and not forget the duration of the assignment which is for one year, starting from the June 2021 to the May 2022.
Lagos commitment
In his address, the Lagos State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu thanked the Federal Government for it’s commitment towards achieving the desired objective of this programme which essentially is to improve quality of life and lift the vulnerable segment of our people out of poverty.
The Governor who was represented by his Special Adviser on Housing, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka explained that since the commencement of the programme in Lagos State, over 6,800 of our people have continued to benefit from regular cash transfer in four bi-monthly cycle under the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme.
“It is my hope that as the implementation of this programme progresses, a lot more of our people will be brought on board as beneficiones under this programme to cushion the economic difficulties that have been aggravated by COVID-19 pandemic and the current challenge of insecurity.
“I congratulate all the trained independent monitors that are being given their letters of engagement and tablets today. | urge you to see your engagement as a call to service and an opportunity for you to contribute your quota to the success of these very important programme of the Federal Government.
You have a duty to exercise due diligence and demonstrate commitment in the application of the skills and knowledge that have been imparted on you during the training exercise.” Governor said.
He assured that the State will continue to play it’s role and support the Federal Government to ensure that Lagos State has its fair share of beneficiaries of this laudable programme.
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