The National Assembly has ordered the suspension of the planned employment of 774,000 Nigerians in the Special Public Works Programme 2020 asking Executive to seek a redress in court if not satisfied with the decision.
The suspension of the programme was announced few days after the Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Productivity Festus Keyamo engaged in shouting match with Legislators on modalities of the programme.
The implementation of the programme shall be on hold until proper briefing of the National Assembly by the minister is carried out.
According to the Chairman, Senate Committed on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ajibola Basiru representing Osun Central, said “the conception of the programme, its approval and its funding is with the consideration of the National Assembly because we believe it is going to be beneficial for the purpose of addressing the challenges of COVID-19”.
“if the President sees that his powers are being encroached, he can approach the court of law. It is as if the programme is an exclusively Presidential project.
“On encroachment on the powers of the President, there is no exclusivity in terms of any programme that is to be implemented except National Assembly is not part of Government.
“Assuming the National Assembly is opposes to the programme, we could have not approved it, you cannot appropriate, but we want to be sure that names don’t just fly.
“Our people will also ask questions. These 1,000 people, how were they generated? Who set up the selection committee? What are the modalities for recruitment? What are the minimum requirements for recruitment? It cannot be left to the hands of a person or branch of Government, which is the Executive and Legislative arms.”
Modupe Arotolu
