You Don't Have Monopoly of Disappointment, NEAM Replies FG, N-Power Over Enhancement

Week after Afolabi Imoukhuede, Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Job Creation hosted a Facebook live chat with N-Power volunteers on the proposed N-Power enhancement programme, the 2016 N-Power volunteers group, N-Power Enhanced Advocacy Movement (NEAM), has replied him.

NEAM described the federal government's position as insensitive and disappointing, warning the thethateral government should be reminded that they do not enjoy any monopoly of disappointment.

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First batch of N-Power beneficiaries whose two-year tenure in the youth empowerment scheme ended last November got undefined extension of period in the programme, following their heated agitation for absorption into the mainstream civil service.

The federal government had promised to move them into enhancement programme that will ensure their smooth exit from the scheme. A move that have been resisted by outspoken groups of the beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries are insisting on conversion into federal government civil servants, having passed a probation period of two years. But N-Power law stipulate that beneficiaries are allow to be in the scheme for a period not more than two years.

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Speaking through a statement signed by its spokesperson, James Obong, the group said that it was shocked by the federal government's insistence on kicking out the volunteers after unspecified tenure elongation period for the beneficiaries.

The group who had been very vocal in their support for the proposed enhancement programme, accuse the government of introducing enhancement programme in order to retain the support of beneficiaries before and during the 2019 general elections.

"It is quite regrettable that the federal government is toying with the future of hardworking and selfless youths of our dear nation, as exemplified in their insistence on kicking the first batch of N-Power beneficiaries out of the scheme after the elections. This action speak loud of the fact that our government is insensitive. It is very disappointing. A pointer that our government care less about us.

READ ALSO: NEAM Gives N-Power 7-Day Ultimatum Over 'N-Power Enhanced' Programme 

"Whereas we welcome and appreciate the government for the continued payment of monthly stipend to the first batch of beneficiaries, we are of the view that only absorption of the beneficiaries into the mainstream civil service or payment of a good amount of money as exit payoff to the beneficiaries can sustainably enhance the lives of the beneficiaries.

"We are therefore reminding the federal government of the inestimable contributions of youths to the development of our nation and the need for them to reconsider their position before the general elections. Failure to heed to this considered appeal will leave the volunteers with no other option than to prove to our leaders that they don't enjoy monopoly of disappointment", the statement read.

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It reiterated its earlier position that they would liaise with other groups to come up with a position that every N-Power volunteers, irrespective of tribe, culture, religion or political affiliation will willingly abide by.