The House of Representatives Committee on NG-CARES has begun an investigation into the implementation of the $696 million (₦1.06 trillion) Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.
Committee chairman, Abubakar Kusada, announced the probe on Wednesday after a committee meeting in Abuja, saying it became necessary as Nigerians were not feeling the impact of the palliatives and safety nets despite full government funding, guidelines, and operational arrangements.
Kusada noted that the funds were disbursed to all 36 states and the FCT, yet many vulnerable groups continued to complain of neglect amid economic hardship. He said the investigation, carried out under sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, would seek to determine whether the funds were embezzled, misappropriated, diverted, or lost to inflated contracts.
The committee will also examine procurement processes, fairness in fund distribution, and whether some states received more than their allocated amounts. Kusada added that states claiming billions for agricultural inputs, infrastructure, and market upgrades would have to prove the impact on food supply and prices.
“If fake names have been used to claim social transfers, we will expose them. If the funds were diverted, they must be restored and used properly. Where there has been gross mismanagement, Nigerians will know who is responsible,” Kusada said, adding that the Bureau of Public Procurement and anti-graft agencies would be involved where due process was abused.
