The Federal Government has commenced the training of 3,000 Stream 2 Independent Monitors (IMs) of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, HajiyaSadiya Umar Farouq, during the inauguration, yesterday in Abuja, said the training has become necessary to sustain the gains of the programme.

Farouq explained that the IMs were responsible for monitoring the programme in their communities and schools, households and market clusters with the focus of ensuring that the primary objectives of the NSIPs are achieved.

The minister recalled that she inaugurated the training and onboarding of Stream 1 IMs on February 4, 2021, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, and 36 states of the federation.

“This process led to the engagement of 4,452 Stream 1 IMs enrolled as monitors of NSIP. They were trained and onboarded by officials of the ministry working in collaboration with State Focal Persons and NSIP officials.

“Additionally, they were provided working tools in the form of Tablets to carry out their monitoring activities on the field. The Stream 1 IMs were engaged from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022.

“It is worthy to note that monitors are one of the most important components of the NSIP and the ministry lays special emphasis on ensuring its programmes are closely monitored.

“Through the Social Investment Management Information System (SIMIS) application, our Stream 1 monitors have uploaded over 220,000 reports to date on the application giving us good visibility into the programme at the communities.

“Today’s programme marks the beginning of the national training and onboarding of additional 3,000 men and women that will serve as Stream 2 monitors,” Farouq said.

According.to her, the incoming Stream 2 IMs are expected to continue using the same platform to report their activities from the field.

Farouq stressed that they would be given the prerequisite training, and receive engagement letters and tablets as working tools for monitoring the programme.

She noted that monitoring at the state level requires that the IMs work hand-in-hand with the state NSIP’s team, as their work cannot be done in a vacuum.

“They are also required to work closely with the beneficiaries. No intimidation of beneficiaries by an IM will be accepted by the ministry.

“Any Independent Monitor found intimidating or harassing a beneficiary will be taken off the programme.

“Be informed that we have officials of the EFCC and DSS working with us on this programme, and those found culpable will be handed over to relevant authorities.

“We are also working with Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society groups that will support you in your monitoring assignment,” Farouq said.

Farouq was represented at the inauguration by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, AlhajiNasirSani-Gwarzo.

Speaking, the National Coordinator of NSIP, Dr Umar Bindir, said the programme is the major instrument of Buhari’s administration to alleviate poverty in the country.

Bindir stressed that the NSIP has been institutionalised to the point that it would not go down the drains like other poverty alleviation programmes of previous administrations.

“The monitoring is necessary to evaluate and restrategise to ensure that the beneficiaries are doing well and the programmes’ objectives are achieved.

“The IMs would monitor all segments of the NSIP (N-Power, GEEP, CCT and NHGSFP) in their localities and would be paid a stipend of N30,000 monthly,” Bindir said.

Meanwhile, the Team Lead of the programme, Dr FatiyaMusah, during her presentation on Monitoring and Evaluation, said the essence of the monitoring was to ensure visibility in all the 36 states including FCT.

“We have three levels of monitoring; Federal, State and Local Government Level. We also do routine quarterly field visit. We hope to do it before school closes for this term.”

The inauguration attracted NSIP Focal Persons from Osun, Rivers, Katsina and Nasarawastates.

Others are officials from the National Orientation Agency, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and other relevant stakeholders.

Highpoints of the event were the symbolic presentation of letters of engagement to the trainees.