An Appraisal of the Performance of National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) On Poverty Reduction in Bauchi State

Abstract

This paper examines the activities of National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) on poverty reduction in Bauchi State. The paper assesses the performance of these activities vis-a-vis their impact on the socio-economic lives of the beneficiaries in Bauchi Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Data for the study was collected through questionnaire and In-depth Interviews. The information required was gathered from 210 respondents consisting of 200 beneficiaries and 10 officials of NAPEP, Bauchi state office. The respondents were selected through the use of systematic and availability sampling techniques. Data collected in the study were presented and analysed using simple frequency, percentages and cross tabulation. Chi-square was used to gauge the performance of NAPEP on poverty reduction in Bauchi State. The study revealed that the programme has impacted positively on the beneficiaries, especially in the areas of job creation, improvement in income, improvement in raising the respondents’ level of education, improvement in social status, etc. It was however, observed that in spite of this performance achievement, the programme needs to do more considering the people so far reached and the amount of money invested into the programme since inception. It was observed that problems like lack of proper selection of beneficiaries, lack of commitment and dedication on the part of the beneficiaries, lack of proper monitoring and evaluation, inability or failure of the authorities concerned to properly set up some of the beneficiaries, hinder smooth execution of the programme in Bauchi State. The study concluded by recommending among other things the use of guarantors in identifying and selecting the beneficiaries with a view to ensuring that materials given to a beneficiary on placement are not disposed off unnecessarily.