The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo has raised alarm over alleged blackmail by some politicians.
The politicians are pressurizing so that they can solely determine the allotment of 774,000 new jobs recently approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Newsroundtheclock gathered that the jobs aimed at creating a source of income for unskilled persons in rural areas are within a Special Public Works Programme (SPWP).
The SPWP is recruiting 1,000 individuals from each of the 774 local government areas of the country.
The scheme is to be implemented by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and will last for three months from October to December.
The workers are expected to clear and protect public infrastructure in rural areas and will earn N20,000 each within three months.
Speaking during the inauguration of the statesā selection committee of the project, the Minister said that majority of the jobs must be allotted to ordinary citizens.
The minister also added that he would not taint his reputation by going beyond the 10 to 15 percent allocated to political officers, except by an express order from the Presidency.
āIn the past, it used to be that certain people entrusted with this kind of programmes handed them over entirely to political leaders. There has been an attempt at blackmailing in this particular programme too; to make us also yield to political leaders, but we have said no, not while I am here”.
News Categories
He further said, “Except Mr. President, who appointed and gave me the opportunity and rare privilege to drive this programme stops me, no other political leader or person can stop me. I am answerable only to Mr. President. This programme is for all Nigerians”, he said.
Keyamo is adamant that he won’t entertain any meetings behind the scene on how his ministry will run the program and that he is ready for a public debate at any point in time.
Don’t allow a political hijack of the program
Keyamo, also advised the committee chairmen not to allow the process from being hijacked by politicians. He further warned that anyone whose credibility becomes questionable would be relieved of their position and immediately replaced.
He urged them to defend their integrity by being transparent by not holding selection meetings at Government Houses or private residences of politician.
“Hold your meetings in NDE offices. The NDE is the one driving this programme; it has coordinators. Keep firm, stand firm. Nobody should be given more than what we allotted to the person”, Keyamo said.
āWe are going to be strict in allotting to different sectors: civil society, market women. Wait for directives. So, nobody should intimidate chairmen. I know the chairmen will stand their ground.
I am also here to back them up. We are going to remove anybody who is dancing to the tune of anybody and undermining the drive of this programme.”
Like this Article? Share it with your friends and family!
Discover more from News Round The Clock
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
[…] Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee of the APC, Mai Mala Buni. appointed a 49-member high-level National Campaign Council for the […]