The ongoing public face-off between the National Assembly and the Minister of State For Labour, Festus Keyamo SAN is showing no sign of abating following an announcement by the lawmakers that the Implementation of the 774,000 Public Works to be put on hold until implementation modalities are explained to them.
To this effect, the National Assembly mandated its Committees on Labour and Productivity in line with its constitutional oversight function, to immediately invite the Hon. Minister for Labour and Productivity and any other relevant officials of the Ministry to appear before the joint committee to brief it on the modality for the implementation of the engagement of 774,000 persons for public works.
According to a statement signed by spokesmen of the Senate and House of Reps, Senator (Dr.) Ajibola Basiru and Hon. Benjamin O. Kalu; NASS noted that the Legislature being important stakeholders in the democratic process, and elected representatives of the people, needed to be appraised of modalities for implementation for effective feedback to the constituents and in ensuring that the constituents optimally participate in and benefit from the process.
“The National Assembly will ensure transparency of the process just as done with the National Social Register by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. Accordingly, the National Assembly reminds members of the public that the Legislature was part of the conception of the program, approved it, and appropriated funds for its implementation as part of the COVID 19 response strategy,” the statement read in part.
Recall that Keyamo and members of the National Assembly had on Tuesday engaged in a shouting match over the proposed recruitment of 774,000 people by the federal government.
Keyamo appeared before a joint committee of the Senate and House Of Representatives alongside Nasiru Ladan, National Directorate of Employment, NDE’s director-general. The duo was asked to explain the modalities adopted in appointing a 20-member committee for the implementation of the program.
Keyamo said Ladan, is a member of the committee but when asked to defend himself, the NDE boss said the minister was in a better position to answer all questions relating to recruitment exercise and the budgeted money.
Trouble started when Ladan could not defend the N52 billion budgeted for the recruitment of N774,000 Nigerians under the NDE.
The DG of the NDE also said he only knew eight members of the committee. The lawmakers then turned to Keyamo and asked a series of questions, suggesting that he had taken over the program from the NDE.
At this point, the tension in the room escalated and the proceedings became rowdy with Keyamo and some lawmakers shouting at the top of their voices.
The lawmakers then opted for a closed-session, but Keyamo disagreed insisting that journalists must witness the proceeding.
The legislators accused Keyamo of trying to dictate proceedings to them and demanded an apology. While a shouting, Keyamo fired back, saying:
“How can you expose corruption without the cameras? How can, how can you expose it? I must respond to what he said. You cannot say something and I won’t respond. It is wrong.”
Then some of the lawmakers responding altogether in chorus said: “Go go, get out. Where is the sergeant-at-arms to walk him out?”
He was subsequently ordered out of the hearing room. Speaking with journalists outside the hearing room, Keyamo alleged that the lawmakers were trying to take charge of the recruitment exercise which his ministry supervises.
But in a swift reaction, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Mr. Godiya Akwashiki, denied allegations leveled against them by Keyamo.
He accused Keyamo of allegedly trying to build a political structure of 1,000 youth in each of the 774 Local Government Areas across the country with the 774,000 jobs.
Recall also that in May, Keyamo said up to 10 percent slots of the beneficiaries of the program in each state would be allotted to political office holders “like our distinguished senators, honorable members, ministers, and governors”.
