The House of Representatives has launched a full-scale investigation into the Nigerian Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme over its alleged failure to impact vulnerable Nigerians. Lawmakers accused the programme’s leadership of failing to account for the disbursement of $696 million (₦1.06 trillion) meant for palliative measures. 

The funds, sourced from a World Bank loan and government contributions, were intended to provide livelihood support, food security services, and grants to poor households and small businesses. Originally created in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic as a social safety net, NG-CARES was retained under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to cushion the effects of recent economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and forex rate unification.

The House Committee on Community and Social Development/NG-CARES has just been set up in the House of Representatives to oversee the activities of the programme. The committee expressed displeasure over the absence of the programme’s leadership during its oversight session, moving for a full probe.

The motion was unanimously adopted. The committee goes into a brief executive session after which it addresses parliamentary reporters. They challenged the managers of NG-CARES to present verifiable lists of individuals and groups who have benefited from the intervention so far.