The National Assembly has ordered the suspension of the Federal Government’s planned recruitment of 774, 000 Nigerians under the Special Public Works programme.
Senate spokesperson, Ajibola Basiru, and that of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, announced this at a press briefing on Wednesday.
The spokespersons said the decision was taken following the disagreement between the federal parliament and the Minister of State for Employment, Labour and Productivity, Festus Keyamo, on Tuesday.
The lawmakers say the programme was jointly conceived by the executive and the legislature and so cannot be treated as exclusively belonging to the president.
Mr Basiru said: “In accordance with the constitutional imperative of oversight, the legislature being important stakeholders in the democratic process, and elected representatives of the people, should be briefed about the modalities for implementation for effective feedback to our constituents and in ensuring that our constituents optimally participate in and benefit from the process.
“The National Assembly will ensure transparency of the process just as it has done with the National Social Register by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.”
He added that President Buhari can go to court if he thinks his powers are being encroached on.
Keyamo, however, told The PUNCH that the recruitment would not be suspended.
When asked if he would heed the National Assembly’s directive, he said, “No, I would not. I stand by what I said in my press statement of yesterday (Tuesday).”
The recruitment exercise will see 774, 000 workers employed as part of efforts to cushion the economic effect of COVID-19.
By the arrangement, 1, 000 Nigerians, who will earn N20, 000 each on a monthly basis for three months, are expected to be recruited in each of the 774 local government areas of the country.
The programme will start in October this year.
