PDP reps: N52bn approved for 774,000 jobs is being misapplied

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the house of representatives say the funds approved for the planned recruitment of 774,000 citizens is being misapplied.

The national assembly approved the sum of N52 billion for the recruitment of 1,000 people from each of the 774 local governments in the country under a special works programme domiciled in the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

The planned recruitment caused friction between members of the national assembly and Festus Keyamo, minister of state for labour and employment.

Keyamo had engaged in a shouting match with some lawmakers when he appeared before them to answer questions about the programme.

While the lawmakers had accused Keyamo of hijacking the programme from the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), the minister said the legislators were the ones trying to take over the project.

However, President Muhammadu Buhari directed Keyamo to go ahead with the execution of the programme.

In a statement on Monday, Kingsley Chinda (pictured), minority leader, said the N20,000 stipend to be paid to each beneficiary for three months is illegal as it is against the provisions of the national minimum wages act.

Nigeria’s current minimum wage is N30,000.

Chinda said they have “resolved to employ legislative and lawful processes, including the institution of legal action where necessary, to address any encroachment on the performance of our statutory functions and fundamental human rights”.

“The PDP caucus of the house, as members of the national assembly, does not exonerate itself from responsibility in the approval of funds for implementation of the misguided Special Public Works Programme and unreservedly apologise to Nigerians for the planned misapplication of their scarce resources,” he said.

“The blatant and brazen disregard of a co-equal arm of government and elected representatives of the Nigerian people by the minister of state, who was grandstanding before the Nigerian people and the tacit approval of his actions by the president in authorising his continued implementation of this skewed programme, regardless of definite pronouncements by the national assembly and apparent violations of legislation in this regard, confirm the Buhari administration’s aversion to the rule of law, constitutional provisions and institutions, and disinterest in the wellbeing of the Nigerian people.”

The programme kicked off on July 14 and candidates selection from each local government will be coordinated by constituted state committees.