ERADICATING OR AGGRAVATING POVERTY? AN EVALUATION OF THE NATIONAL POVERTY ERADICATION PROGRAMME (NAPEP) IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA, 2001-2007

Abstract

In Nigeria, people are no longer suffering and smiling, as Fela sang, but, suffering and dying. Hence, the growing incidences of poverty and concomitant problems in Nigeria are, indeed, critical issues of concern and contention. The bulk of the matter hinges upon finding apt solutions and strategies to open up and unburden human beings form abject poverty. Thus, numerous ways are sought, to rapidly and timely enhance human capacity. The National Poverty Alleviation Programme (NAPEP) is yet another effort, by the Federal Government, in this direction. Accordingly, NAPEP has had its generous footage in Enugu State of Nigeria, in the course of its confident voyage across the country. This paper is, therefore, a genuine effort to evaluate the implementation of NAPEP programmes in Enugu State and its overall outcome and impact on human capacity enhancement. The descriptive survey method of data collection is adopted. In this way, we obtained our primary data through the distribution of questionnaire, which was designed for selected beneficiaries of NAPEP programmes in the three major zones in Enugu State. In addition, our method of data analysis was based on the use of simple frequency and percentages. We argue, principally, that the implementation of NAPEP programmes, including the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES), has not tangibly reflected upon high feasibility of human capacity enhancement in Enugu State. We conclude that there is urgent need for different levels of governments in Nigeria to exhibit more political will and commitment in the fight against poverty and its attendant problems in the country.