Thousands of beneficiaries of the N-Power programme may soon receive their outstanding allowances as the Senate facilitated a meeting between key government officials and legal representatives of the affected individuals to address the backlog of unpaid stipends, totaling N81 billion.

The intervention came through Barau Jibrin, the Deputy Senate President, who hosted a crucial tripartite meeting involving federal officials, legal representatives of the aggrieved beneficiaries, and the concerned ministries.

The over two-hour closed-door meeting, held in Barau’s office at the National Assembly, produced a breakthrough as the beneficiaries, owed stipends from 2022 and 2023, agreed to suspend their legal action against the Federal Government based on assurances from relevant authorities.

Read also: N-Power, cash transfer, school feeding affected as Tinubu suspends NSIPA

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Senator Barau said, “The beneficiaries came here to the Senate to seek my intervention. I called the Minister, and he was very responsive.

“He came on board, and there was a fruitful discussion that led them to understand that the Minister had already gone far in making preparations for the money to be paid.”

He added, “Having been convinced that there is a clear intention on the part of government to resolve the issue, they have now decided to back down from the legal route. I assured them that this is a government that is responsive and committed to the welfare of its people, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.”

The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, who represented the federal government at the meeting, confirmed that the owed funds were part of the 2022 and 2023 budgets but could not be paid due to recurrent budget rollovers.

Read also: Reps worried over N475bn spent on N-Power in 4 years

“There was no provision for the arrears in the 2024 and 2025 budgets.

“However, we sought intervention through the service-wide vote and secured an approval, albeit late. We are now working on getting this year’s budget implemented to allow for the payment,” the Minister explained.

“As a responsible government, we acknowledge the debt and are committed to resolving it before the end of this year.”

The beneficiaries’ counsel, Barrister Abba Hikima, also confirmed that the litigation would be put on hold following the federal government’s assurance.

“The government owes my clients about N81 billion.

“The Minister has given his word that the funds will be paid once the 2025 budget implementation begins. Though I’m their lawyer, I must commend the Deputy Senate President, the Honourable Minister of State, and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs.

“They all gave firm assurances, and we are hopeful that within this year, the money will be paid.”

Also speaking, Kehinde James, the Chairman of the N-Power Beneficiaries Association, , expressed gratitude to the Deputy Senate President and the ministers, stating that their intervention had restored trust and hope among the affected youths across the country.

The N-Power scheme, launched in 2016, was designed to reduce youth unemployment by providing skills training and stipends.

However, many of its beneficiaries have faced prolonged delays in receiving their entitlements in recent years.