Barely 24 hours after his shouting match with lawmakers, the National Assembly has ordered the immediate suspension of the recruitment of 774,000 workers for the Special Public Works Programme.
The National Assembly said the suspension order will remain until it receives proper briefing from the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
In a Joint Statement delivered on behalf of both chambers by the Spokesperson of the Senate, Senator Bashiru Ajibola; the National Assembly ruled out Keyamo’s claim; insisting that it has a role to play in determining how the programme it helped to create and fund to cushion the impact of Covid-19 on Nigerians is implemented.
” Accordingly, the National Assembly reminds members of the public that the legislature as part of the conception of the programme, approved it and appropriated funds for its implementation as part of the COVID 19 response strategy,” Ajibola stated.
The National Assembly said it reached the decision to put the programme on hold relying on its constitutional oversight function and has consequently asked its Committees on Labour and Productivity to immediately invite the Minister of Labour and Productivity and any other relevant officials of the Ministry to appear before the Joint Committee to brief it on ” what it called the modalities for the implementation of the engagement of the 774,000 persons for public works.
“In accordance with the constitutional imperative of oversight, the legislature being important stakeholders in the democractic process and elected represesentatives of the people, needed to appraised of modalities for the implementation for effective feedback to our constituents and in ensuring that you constituents optimally participate in and benefit from the process”.
Ajibola said the programme cannot be left to the whims and caprices of just one individual.
Also Read: INEC suspends voter registration ahead of Ondo Governorship polls
In view of this and even while insisting that the Federal Government Public Works Programme must benefit Nigerians, the National Assembly asked the Ministry to slam the breaks on the programme.
It is, however, unlikely that the Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo who on Tuesday issued a statement directing his ministry to continue with the programme will comply with National Assembly directives.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
