Keyamo: Why FG Didn’t Share Expensive Equipment for 774,000 Jobs

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. Festus
Keyamo (SAN) yesterday 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.

But reacting, the minister 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 are basically for our
everyday labourers to carry out community services. “It would not
be financially prudent if government were to spend billions for
expensive equipment for three-month jobs, then spend millions again
training our labourers on how to use these equipment.”

Keyamo had also said President Muhammadu Buhari approved the
commencement of the initiative.

The programme, which would engage 774,000 unemployed Nigerians,
kicked off last week after several postponements.

The programme was designed to employ 1,000 Nigerians from each
of the 774 local government areas in the country.

Each of the 774,000 workers will earn N20,000 monthly for three
months duration of the job.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. Festus
Keyamo (SAN) yesterday 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.

But reacting, the minister 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 are basically for our
everyday labourers to carry out community services. “It would not
be financially prudent if government were to spend billions for
expensive equipment for three-month jobs, then spend millions again
training our labourers on how to use these equipment.”

Keyamo had also said President Muhammadu Buhari approved the
commencement of the initiative.

The programme, which would engage 774,000 unemployed Nigerians,
kicked off last week after several postponements.

The programme was designed to employ 1,000 Nigerians from each
of the 774 local government areas in the country.

Each of the 774,000 workers will earn N20,000 monthly for three
months duration of the job.