Senate on Thursday called for the immediate reinstatement of the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment, Nasiru Argungu, saying it was aware of the in-house fighting between him and the supervising Minister of Labour and Employment Festus Keyamo.
In an adopted motion, co-sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Hadejia representing Jigawa North Senatorial district, the conflict has affected the 774 Local Governments job creation that ought to have lasted for three months.
Hadejia said the removal of the DG has been hijacked by some bad elements who are now undermining the programmes, saying that the reinstatement would ensure a hitch-free continuity of the programme.
In his contribution, Senator Rochas Okorocha representing Imo West Senatorial District suggested for an amicable resolution of the conflict in the NDE, rather than a formal approach which he said may not resolve the crisis anytime soon.
The former governor of Imo State explained that there were political, economic and other challenges demanding attention, adding that amicable approach was the best way out of the logjam for now.
After contributions by other lawmakers, which aligned with the position of the sponsor of the motion Senate President maintained that they were in support of the initiatives of the Federal Government with regards to the 774 local government jobs, saying that anything that would disrupt it wouldn’t be allowed.
“Let me be very clear here that from the beginning, we have been in support of the 774 jobs for Nigerians at the local level.
“By now the exercise ought to have been concluded, but for one reason or the other, we are still talking about it. Whatever it is, and like the motion said, the Executive arm should reinstate the sacked DG in the public interest.”
