MINISTER of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has said only President Muhammadu Buhari can stop him from implementing the template for the engagement of 774, 000 unskilled jobs.
The Minister made the clarification on Monday in Abuja during the inauguration of state selection committees of the programme.
He stated that the public works programme which will last from October till December and supervised by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) was for all Nigerians, stating that beneficiaries would earn N20, 000 monthly.
“Except Mr President, who appointed me stops me, and who gave me the opportunity and rare privilege to drive this programme, except he stops me, no other political leader or person can stop me.
“I am answerable only to Mr President.
“There have been attempts at blackmailing me in this particular programme too to make us also yield to political leaders and we have said no – not while I am here.
“I have a pedigree; I have a background; I know where I am coming from. Before I came into public office, I have a pedigree and what I stand for.
“Before coming here today, there has been an attempt by certain political leaders to say I must come and see them behind the scene first to determine who gets what and how, and I said no. I am ready at any time for a public debate on this with them.
“I think the chairmen can stand on their own; don’t go and hold meetings in the house of politicians to select; hold your meetings in NDE offices.
“Don’t go and meet in any government house to hold any meeting, don’t go to any politicians’ house to do selections,” Keyamo said.
