Senate in rowdy session over move to probe NSIP, Sure-P

The Senate was yesterday thrown into rowdy session over plan to investigate alleged misuse of the National Social Intervention Programme (NSIP) and how the money allocated to fund the Subsidy Re-investment Programme (SURE-P) was spent.

It  followed a motion by Minority Leader Senator Biodun Olujimi on alleged deployment of funds under the Social Intervention Programme (SIP) to buy Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) to promote President Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential election bid.

Mrs. Olujimi, who displayed copies of signed forms used by an alleged beneficiary of the intervention fund, claimed that beneficiaries were made to attach their PVCs before they could benefit from the fund.

She noted that it was unfortunate that the SIP fund created for the benefit of every Nigerian, was  allegedly being manipulated to buy PVC for Buhari’s re-election bid.

The senator, who came under Order 42 (personal explanation), prayed the Senate to investigate the matter as a matter of urgency.

She said the upper chamber should insist that the social intervention fund must not be used for political purposes.

Senate Leader Senator Ahmed Lawan described the allegation as  completely unfounded.

As Lawan made to disabuse the minds of his colleagues about any untoward use of the fund, the Senate erupted with shouts of point of order.

Attempts by Senate President Bukola Saraki to control the situation failed for some moment.

Saraki gave Senator Dino Melaye the floor to move his point of order.

The Kogi West senator said Olujimi’s motion should first be seconded before contributions would be made.

The chamber was divided along party lines. Lawan requested for protection and to be allowed to make his points.

Saraki said Lawan should be allowed to speak.

The Senate Leader noted that “for the first time in the history of SIP in Nigeria, we have proof that anywhere you are in Nigeria, you can apply”.

The shout of point of order continued.

Senator Albert Akpan (Akwa Ibom Northeast) took the floor to raise Orders 49 and 52.

Akpan reiterated Melaye’s position that Saraki should first allow Olujimi’s motion to be seconded.

He added that contributions in support of the motion should be taken after which those opposed to the motion should take the floor.

Saraki declined Akpan’s request, insisting that Lawan be allowed to conclude his contribution.

Lawan said the SIP of the government is computer-based, which made it easy for Nigerians to apply wherever they were.

He urged the Senate President to be above board and blind to the debate.

Lawan said: “It is on record that the social intervention programme has been the most successful in the country.

The Senate Leader said he was not against whatever the Senate wanted to do with Olujimi’s motion “but the investigation should not be turned into a political weapon”.

He reminded the Senate that Nigerians were aware that Sure-P failed.

The Senate adopted the prayer that the probe should be apolitical.

The prayer that Sure-P should also be investigated was also adopted.