Reps query FG over delayed implementation of N500bn allocated for poverty alleviation

The House of Representatives has queried the Federal Government over the delayed implementation of the N500bn set aside to combat poverty in the country as approved in the 2016 budget, noting that despite the ravaging poverty in the country, the amount allocated for poverty alleviation in the last eight month had remained idle.

This alarm was raised on Tuesday by the House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research during an interactive session with members of the Federal Government team, in Abuja, organised by the House Joint Committee on Legislative Budget and Research and Poverty Alleviation.

Speaking at the session, the Chairman, House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, Hon. Golu Timothy stated that “a budget of N500 billion being coordinated basically through one office is very huge,” adding that: “transparency is key and we at the House of Representatives want to ensure that the office is competent enough to coordinate such a huge amount of funds without being overwhelmed by the job.”