₦airaland Forum

YOUWIN: Awardees protest non-payment at Ministry of FinanceBy Samson Atekojo Usman

Awardees of YOUWIN programme in the last administration of President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday protested at the the Federal Ministry of Finance, demanding that they should be paid their grant having trained and engaged some youths in their various businesses as well as fulfilled all processes.

The awardees, in their numbers, claimed that the inability of the last administration to pay them was due to an alleged missing N5.05 billion counterpart funding which the World Bank released to the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Spokesperson of the group, Engr. Jonathan Ango, who spoke to DAILY POST at the Ministry of Finance, stated that the payment to beneficiaries was split in three ranches, but few beneficiaries were selected in first and second tranches and payed peanuts as if to suggest that the programme was successful.

“You see the World Bank did released over N5.05billion as part of its counterpart funds, but the Secretariat would call few beneficiaries and less than 10% in the first and second ranges, and we later got to discovered that the money has been embezzled and that was why we were no longer comfortable,” Angola alleged.

“The programme was captured in 2012 up to 2015 budget of the Federal Ministry of Finance, so where were those funds?” he asked.

A World Bank Consultant attached to YOUWIN Secretariat, who identified himself as Femi, told the protesters that the delay was caused by BVN, assuring them that the authorities were on top of the situation.

He declined comment on the missing World Bank Counterpart Fund and asked journalists to wait for the appropriate person to come and clarify issues.

Meanwhile, all efforts by our correspondent to speak with the Permanent Secretary or Director in charge of YOUWIN programme as at press time proved abortive even after waiting for two hours.

It was truly a horrible experience for the Minister of Finance today as the YouWiN3 Awardees blocked the entrance gate of the ministry demanding for their payment.

The Minister came in ans saw the Awardees holding banners, she called one of her Directors who was in a meeting with the Awardees' representatives. The Director on behalf of the Minister said they will close the issue of BVN today so that they can compile the list of those with BVN by tomorrow and give the Minister for onward approval. He later said , they will begin payment of tranches to the Awardees as soon as possible within a month time.
Pressmen from different radio and TV stations covered the event from outside the ministry's gate because they were not allowed into the FMF premises.
Let's pray that God will help these Awardees to receive their funds so as to continue with their businesses across Nigeria.
Lalasticlala, Seun, Mynd44... let the world hear the voice of these youths. You are a youth only once!

YOULOSE

oduastates:
YOULOSE

If that's what you wish yourself, so be it!!!!