By Henry Umoru & Gift ChapiOdekina

ABUJA- PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has written both the Senate and the House of Representatives, seeking the approval of the National Social Investment Programme Agency Establishment Amendment Bill 2024.

In the letter to the President of the Senate,  Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker, the House of Representatives,  Tajudeen Abbas,  the President said that  the proposed amendment aims to strengthen the framework for implementing the government’s social welfare programmes, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency.

According to him, the National Social Investment Programme establishment amendment bill made the social register the primary tool for the implementation of the federal government’s social welfare programmes.

President Tinubu explained that the amendment seeks to designate the National Investment Register as the primary tool for targeting beneficiaries of social investment initiatives. This measure, he said, would ensure that welfare programmes are data-driven and deliver effective social protection to Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.

The letter read, “Pursuant to Section 58(2) of the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I forward, herewith, for the kind consideration and passage by the Senate, the National Social Investment Programme Agency (Establishment) (Amendment) Bill, 2024, for the amendment of the National Social Investment Programme Agency Act, 2023.

“The purpose of the bill is to make the National Social Register the primary targeting tool for the implementation of social investment programmes of Government. This will ensure our social welfare programmes are data driven and implementation processes are transparent, targeted, dynamic and effective in delivering social protection benefits to vulnerable Nigerians.

“While hoping that the Senate will consider this submission in the usual expeditious manner, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”