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Kayode Oyero
Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, on Monday, explained that expensive equipment were not distributed for the Special Public Works Programme because of the short term nature of the scheme.
Keyamo had come under fire when viral photos show him sharing wheelbarrows and cutlasses to beneficiaries of the Special Public Works Programme.
Reacting, Keyamo said the government would have to spend extra funds to train the beneficiaries should it distribute expensive modern-day tools.
The minister tweeted, “The 774,000 jobs is basically for our everyday labourers to carry out community services. It would not be financially prudent if govt were to spend billions for expensive equipment for 3-month jobs, then spend millions again training our labourers on how to use these equipment.”
Daily Post Nigeria
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Oyetola inaugurated the programme in the state capital of Osogbo.
Speaking, the governor said the public works initiative was in line with Osun’s Development Agenda.
Represented by his deputy, Benedict Alabi, the governor said the problem was targeted at guaranteeing and securing a better future for the youths in the state, NAN reports.
The governor insisted that the programme was an indication of President Muhammadu Buhari’s readiness to empower Nigerian youths economically.
“This programme, through a short-term response to the rising spate of unemployment in our country, deserves to be commended for its ambitious coverage and transparent recruitment process.
By Polycarp Auta
Jos, Jan. 8, 2020 Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has inaugurated the Special Public Works Programme of the Federal Government in the state.
Inaugurating the programme on Friday in Jos, Lalong, represented by Alhaji Usman Idi, the state Commissioner for Environment, said the programme would address unemployment in the state and country in general.
He added that the programme was also designed by the federal government to tackle other vices among youths, particularly at the rural areas.
“Without doubt, this programme is a great initiative of government to address the challenge of unemployment in the country, especially at the rural areas.