The Federal Government says it has kicked off the special public works programme despite it being suspended by the national assembly.
This was announced via the Nigerian Government’s twitter handle on Tuesday.
The scheme which is coordinated by the ministry of labour and employment was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari as a part of the fiscal stimulus measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A total of 1,000 Nigerians from each of the 774 local government areas will be engaged in the programme coordinated by constituted state committees.
“The State Selection Committees have been inaugurated and have commenced work,” the federal government said via its Twitter handle.
The Special Public Works Programme of the Federal Government has kicked off nationwide. The State Selection Committees have been inaugurated and have commenced work. Find the names and contact details of members of your State’s Committee here: https://t.co/d7YjB49JeE #NigeriaSPW
— Government of Nigeria (@NigeriaGov) July 14, 2020
Odunews.com reports that the National Assembly suspended the takeoff of the scheme after a fall out with the Minister of State for Labour Festus Keyamo.
The lawmakers walked out the Minister after a heated exchange between the two over details of the programme.
The Minister said the committee plans to hijack the programme and to appropriate some job slots to themselves.
Mr Keyamo also accused the national assembly committee of challenging the president by its action.
