Controversy Trails Launch of N750m Empowerment Program in Adamawa

Controversy Trails Launch of N750m Empowerment Program in Adamawa

By Billy Graham Abel Yola

Controversy and bitter cry of fowl play trails a ten thousand- man  empowerment program launch over the weekend in Adamawa state.

The empowerment scheme organised by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) with technical support from the National Directorate of Employment ( NDE) was an organisational flop after the program turned into a chaotic and frenzy scramble for empowerment pack as many of the enlisted participants were not given either the empowerment pack or the 10,000 naira loan promised them by the organisers.

The scheme, though laudable in it's design to empower overtime, about 10,000 women and youths with training in various skills and craft, backed by financial grant of about N1 million to N10 million, had a wobbly debut following failure to give a ten thousand naira cash loan to a number of the beneficiaries that turned out for the event while  some of the beneficiaries who got the package said the containners for their empowerment pack were empty or incomplete, The Sun gathered.

The project which was launched in conjunction with the office of the SGF, Boss Mustapha, ended in a rioteuos commotion as some of the beneficiaries who insisted on getting the empowerment kit had to be forcefully dispersed.

The sun gathered that the controversy began when some of the beneficiaries were told that the forms they completed earlier was fake and that they had to fill another form before getting the empowerment kits and/or cash grant.

One of the beneficiaries name withheld told Daily Sun that, "I got the N10,000 loan scheme and quickly left there because it was turning into a fight.

"But my friend whom I left there later told me that she was flogged and sustained injuries in the cause."

Another beneficiary said, "On this row, only two people got the money and the rest have to go home empty handed, this is not fare.

"We filled forms for the program and came here expecting the money and the pack 

"Some of the organisers came around and started saying our forms were fake and that we cannot get it and that we have to fill another form which is the original.

"We feel they just used us for the camera and show the workd that everything is ok."

The empowerment project is expected to train participants in cosmetology, hair dressing, welding and metal fabrication and GSM repairs.

Presenting the empowerment equipment to the beneficiaries at the government house banquet hall,  Boss Mustapha said about N750 million have been budgeted for the scheme and beneficiaries can access between ten thousand and ten million naira.

The SGF, Boss Mustapha challenged the beneficiaries to use the program to improve their lives and create wealth for themselves and their families, which is one of Muhammadu Buhari's plans for Nigerians.

He said at the top of Buhari's agenda are poverty eradication, self-reliance, wealth creation and the fight against hunger.

Boss revealed that NDE partnering with him to bring succour to the people of Adamawa state is because of his closeness to the people as a grassroots politician.

"APC is a people oriented party and the government of Muhammadu Buhari is committed to delivering quality infrastructure for the people of Nigeria," he said.

The Director General, National Directorate of employment, Nadir Mohammed Argungu, commended the SGF for partnering with NDE to empower the people of the state saying the beneficiaries would be trained professionally in their various fields of endeavour.

Reacting to the confusion arising at the end of event, the Adamawa state coordinator of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Kenneth Maigida, said, "My office was not responsible for shortlisting beneficiaries.

"They were supposed to be given forms for documentation which some of them probbably did not get on time but am aware that Wafari Thaman, the coordinator of the project has noted the situation and most of the people that did not get it at the venue have been shortlisted for another batch of the grant.

"But the claim that they got empty packages is totally false, how can you get an empty package and not know, it is not true," he maintained.

The Adamawa state secretary of APC and coordinator of Homefront Campaign group for Buhari and Bindow, Wafari Theman,  reacting to the situation said he, "NDE is an established government agency. 

"You can get all forms of information from the agency and every other source. 

"I believe it is not a scam and I do not believe anyone received an empty pack.

"I suggest you interview NDE and get furnished with as much details as you need. 

"It's a programme for 10,000 and until that number is covered, the program is not over, you are always welcomed."