The Federal Government has set in motion machinery to monitor an unhindered implementation of the SpecialPublic Works Program in the 774 Local Government Areas.
Speaking at a Press briefing to update the media on progress made so far in the implementation of the program, the Hon. Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, SAN disclosed that an implementation committee will be inaugurated at different levels to ensure the proper documentation of those who have been selected.
The committee, according to him will work closely with the banks for the purpose of registration, documentation and payment. They are also mandated to select the projects to be implemented and supervise the different works that will be executed in the various Local Government Areas.
According to the Hon. Minister, Mr. President has directed that the program should be totally free of fraud and that technology should be used to monitor the implementation process to ensure transparency and efficiency.
He reiterated the fact that the Federal Government has promised prompt release of fund to guarantee hitch free implementation of the program.
The Minister further disclosed that an interactive website will be set up where names and the phone numbers of members of the implementation committee can be accessible and reachable by the public and also the projects to be executed in various Local Government Areas will be uploaded for perusal and transparency.
Explaining further, Keyemo said, ‘’I did not authorize any state or local government to print any form. The forms have been printed with a special security mark with a serial number for each Local Government, which can’t be used for another Local Government, spread sheets has been provided for collation of names and uploading in soft copy for proper documentation and implementation’’.
In his remarks, the Director General of The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Dr. Nasiru Mohammed Ladan said that 90% of the N52 billion earmarked for the program will be for their stipends while the 10% will be for transportation and logistics. He said the program is set to take off fully on 1st October, 2020.