The N-Power Verification Centre in Makurdi, the Benue State Capital, was packed to the brim on Friday due to the massive influx of applications.
Our correspondent’s visit to the center revealed that the number of applicants queuing up at the entrance was far too large for the few N-Power staff on hand to handle.
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Some applicants who talked to our correspondent under the condition of anonymity voiced unhappiness with the process.
One of the candidates stated that she had been waiting since 7 a.m.
I arrived before 7 a.m. and was one of the first people in line, but it is now 11 a.m. and the line has yet to reach me.”
Another applicant blamed the delay on N-Power personnel, claiming that they are taking longer than necessary to respond to applications.
“The N-Power authorities are wasting time, so the line isn’t moving. He bemoaned the fact that they would be attending to only one person for more than 30 minutes.
He scowled at those who are already employed but still applied for the N-Power scheme, claiming that this was the cause of the long line.
“The line is extremely long since some people are already employed but have applied to get government funds. This is bad because it will deny those who actually need it the chance to get it. Some politicians even applied for the position.
One of the N-Power officials at the centre, who did not want to be identified because she was not authorized to go on the record, said the verification procedure was delayed owing to technological challenges.
We are putting forth our best effort. The reason for the delay is due to technical difficulties. Furthermore, the number of applicants is too large for us to handle all of them at once,” she explained.
N-Power is a program launched by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to combat youth unemployment and promote social development.