Minister of State for Employment, Labour and Productivity Festus Keyamo says he has the blessing of President Muhammadu Buhari to begin the recruitment of 774, 000 youths under the Special Public Works Programme.
The National Assembly had earlier suspended the exercise following disagreement with Mr Keyamo.
However, the minister told The Punch on Tuesday that he had received Buhari’s approval to proceed with the recruitment exercise.
“I have the instructions of my boss, Mr President, to proceed with the supervision of the preparation for the execution of the programme in accordance with the law,” he wrote in a text message.
Keyamo and the lawmakers have both accused each other of trying to take control of the project.
His appearance before a joint committee of the National Assembly on June 30 ended abruptly.
The lawmakers suspended the programme, saying they have oversight rights.
But Keyamo argued that the lawmakers had no power to give directives to the executive under section 88 of the 1999 constitution.
“I only insisted on the provision of the constitution; I insist that they have no power under section 88 of the 1999 constitution. Their powers under section 88 of the 1999 Constitution is only limited to investigations, but not to give any directive to the executive,” he said.
