Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa on Tuesday commended the Federal Government on the commencement of the ‘Expanded Special Public Works Programme’ in the country.
Okowa gave the commendation at the official flag-off of South-South segment of the programme (engagement of 774,000 unemployed Nigerians on itinerant basis) at Federal Secretariat Complex, Asaba. The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, who represented the governor expressed delight on the commencement of the programme, adding that it will help to curb unemployment in the country.
He advised the beneficiaries to see the programme as a stepping stone for creating more employment opportunities for Nigerians.
He enjoined the 25,000 beneficiaries in Delta State to use the government’s gesture to add more value to the nation’s economy.
“Here in Delta, we have also engaged several youths into our various jobs creation platforms. We have scaled this up by engaging over five ministries in this regard. “We look forward to much more collaborative efforts between the Federal Government and the State Government.
“Let me appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for not making this project and program a political one because hunger and poverty do not know the political party.
“When you check the economic effects of this programme, you will appreciate the fact that in Delta alone, 25, 000 indigenes are benefiting from the programme.
“When you also look at the multiplier effect of N20,000 per 1,000 beneficiaries across the 774 local government areas bringing the number to the 774,000 persons you’re talking about, N15 billion naira is being put into the Nigerian economy ….”, the governor stated.
In the keynote address, Honourable Minister of State, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, SAN said the ‘Extended Special Public Works Programme’ is a product of the ‘Pilot Special Public Works Programme’ in the rural areas approved by President Muhammadu Buhari; and implemented by the NDE in the early part of the year 2020. Keyamo who was represented by the Executive Director, Cabotage Services, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, said the programme was aimed at shielding the most vulnerable from the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Although the Expanded Special Public Works (ESPW) is an ephemeral strategy to last for three months (5th January-4th April 2021), I am convinced that it will provide the necessary economic palliatives to these 774,000 unemployed youths.
“Let me emphasise that the youth who diligently participate in this project implementation may then deploy the knowledge and skills acquired to become self-employed while government and the organised private sector may in due course create or provide exit options,” he stated.