The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government to publish comprehensive records of payments made under its N33.75 billion cash transfer programme, following audit concerns over the disbursement of funds to 3.29 million households.
The opposition party said Nigerians deserve full transparency on the programme, particularly on whether the money approved for poverty alleviation actually reached the people for whom it was intended.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC demanded the release of the complete list of beneficiaries, REMITA payment records and other relevant documents capable of independently verifying the recipients, amounts paid and dates of disbursement.
The party said the audit queries raised by the Auditor-General of the Federation should not be dismissed as a routine administrative matter, describing them instead as issues requiring urgent public accountability.
According to the ADC, access to the payment records would enable Nigerians and relevant oversight institutions to establish how the N33.75 billion was spent and whether the cash transfer scheme achieved its intended objective.
The party also called for greater cooperation between government agencies and the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation to resolve all outstanding queries relating to the programme.
It further urged the government to identify and take appropriate action against any officials found to have frustrated or obstructed the audit process.
The ADC said stronger accountability mechanisms were necessary before the government proceeds with additional social intervention programmes.
It specifically cited the Federal Government’s announcement of the $1 billion Renewed Hope Social Protection Programme, warning that launching fresh initiatives without first resolving questions surrounding existing programmes could further erode public confidence.
The opposition party maintained that effective social protection had become increasingly important as Nigerians continue to contend with higher costs of food, transportation and other essential goods and services.
It argued that transparency in the cash transfer scheme would help determine whether public resources were properly utilised and whether vulnerable citizens received the assistance allocated to them.
The ADC pledged to continue monitoring the implementation of government’s social intervention programmes and urged relevant authorities to respond promptly to the audit concerns.
The party said publishing the payment trail and beneficiary information would be an important step towards strengthening public confidence in the government’s poverty reduction initiatives and ensuring that those targeted by the programme are not excluded from its benefits.
