The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila on Wednesday hinted that the leadership of the House has commenced moves to resolve the face off between both the Chaambers of the National Assembly and the Minister for State of Labour and Productivity and Employment Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN over the recruitment of 774,000 Nigerian Youths by the Federal Government.
Rep Gbajabiamila who dropped the hint when he made a surprise appearance at the Public Accounts Committee public hearing at National Assembly complex Abuja assured that the seeming differences would be resolved amicably within the next 24 hours.
The Speaker who breezed into the venue of the Public hearing unannounced urged the Committee to carry on without minding his presence, saying that he only stopped by to observe proceedings.
In his brief remarks, Rep Gbajabiamila condemned what transpired the Parliaments and the Honourable Minister State for Labour, Productivity and Employment Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN at Senate Wing of the National Assembly on Monday.
According to him, “I’m only here to observe proceedings and nothing more so just carry on and forget about my presence. As you all know, the Committee on Public Accounts is the only Committee recognized by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, so you are all welcome. But again, we have to make sure that what happened yesterday (Monday) in the Senate does not repeat here
“It is unfortunate that the National Assembly is not allowed to operate as it should. However, I want to assure you that the matter will be resolved within the next 24 hours”
Recall that the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Labour had invited Keyamo to give details of the Special Public Works Programme where 774,000 unemployed Youths would be recruited by the Federal Government under the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
During the hearing, the Committee sought to find out the method of selection of a 20-man committee from each state of the Federation and the federal Capital Territory,FCT, Abuja for the programme.
However, a heated argument erupted between the law makers and the Minister over who should lead the programme which was to be domiciled under the NDE.
In the process the meeting became rowdy and Committee decided to go into a closed-door session to discuss the matter, but which the Minister refused, insisting that further discussions be held in the presence of Journalists.
Speaking with journalists, Keyamo who accused the lawmakers of trying to take control of the recruitment under his ministry, said that while he was not opposed to the lawmakers investigating the programme, he would not allow himself to be teleguided by them, adding that doing so would mean sharing in the powers of President Buhari.
He said despite granting the lawmakers 15% of the job placement; they still wanted to hijack the entire process and take over the powers of the President.
The spokesperson for the Senate, Ajibola Basiru, who announced the suspension of the programme at a press conference in Abuja, said the National Assembly has summoned the Minister in charge of the Ministry to appear before the federal legislature, to explain the recruitment modalities.
He said, “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.”
Culled from GMT
