Lawmakers of the upper and lower legislative Chambers on Tuesday stopped the implementation of 774,000 Special Public Works until they are properly briefed on the processes of the programme.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Senate Committee Chairman on Information and Public Affairs, Senator Ajibola Basiru said, the 9th National Assembly was committed to seeing the successes of programmes that would alleviate the plight of the people, but wouldn’t abandon their oversight functions to that effect.
A statement jointly signed by both spokespersons of both Chambers reminded Nigerians that the programme was the brainchild of the legislature.
The development is adjudged to be a reaction to the altercation of the joint Committee on Labour and Productivity with the Minister of State for Labour, Festus Kayamo, where he alleged that lawmakers were trying to take away the exercise from him.
“In accordance with the constitutional imperative of oversight, the legislature being important stakeholders in the democratic process, and elected representatives of the people, we needed to appraise the modalities for implementation for effective feedback to our constituents.
“In view of the foregoing, the implementation of the programme shall be on hold pending proper briefing of the National Assembly by the Minister of Labour and Productivity. ” The statement read.
