The member representing Arochukwu / Ohafia federal constituency, Hon. Uko Nkole has revealed that adhoc job arrangement which the current administration is embarking on will not help in solving the problem of unemployment in the country .
The foremost lawmaker said this while reacting to the current effort being made by the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to recruit 1000 persons from each of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria.
Recall that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had announced its plan to engage the services of 1000 people each from the 774 LGAs across Nigeria , this is one of it effort aim at resuscitating the economy through providing jobs from the effects occasioned by the impact of COVID 19 pandemic.
But Hon. Nkole believes the whole arrangement is faulty, according to him “since 2015 till date, Nigeria budgetary system has not followed any acceptable international approved standard and practices “
“I am saying this first as a Federal Lawmaker and also an experienced retired middle management cadre in the Federal Civil Service the 774,000 jobs is an adhoc arrangement meaning that it is not a permanent job , yet we are going to spend 43billion naira taxpayers money for a program that is slated to last for about 3 months . after the expiration of the 3 months , those engaged would be sent back into the labour market. The right thing would have been employing people permanently through the Federal civil service commission with the 43 billion naira earmarked for on an adhoc arrangement. Using same approach of allocating equal slots round the 774 local governments.
“Look at the N-power program , the 500,000 beneficiaries have been disengaged and sent back into the labour market , this back and front arrangement will fail and has failed as you can see , why not use the 43billion naira to engage unemployed youths on a sustainable basis and you are certain that whatever be the number that would be employed will be dutifully engage for at least of 35years or attainment of the mandatory 60years of service which ever that came first.
“ Alternatively , the money can be deployed to fund capital projects especially in areas of Road construction. Capital projects can create the needed job opportunities , for example, while fixing a road, locals will be employed and other people will make income along that value chain.
On allegation that the national assembly members were asking for 15% of the total job opportunities, Hon Uko Nkole said it is a joke to allege that because the national assembly members are discharging their constitutional obligation “ I did not receive any 15% of the job opportunities otherwise I would have been communicated through appropriate channel , and I don’t believe any member of the house received anything “
On reason behind the face- off the house had with the Honourable minister of state for labour Barr. Festus Keyamo , he said “ the house is simply carrying out its constitutional responsibility which is oversight function . If the minister feels we are acting otherwise. The right thing would have been for him to approach the court”.
“The judiciary are in a better position to interpret the law and not him, and it is out of place for him to detect to us how we should carry out our responsibility as lawmakers”
“Furthehttps://youtu.be/ixo48OLR5pQr more, the actions of the junior minister must conform primarily to the provisions of the Nigerian 1999 constitution as amended and not selective obedience to constituted authorities. He was citing the act that set up the National Directorate of Employment but he failed to remember that the constitution has over riding effect over any other act” he concluded.
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