{"id":9412,"date":"2020-07-02T07:14:55","date_gmt":"2020-07-02T07:14:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/?p=9412"},"modified":"2020-07-02T07:14:55","modified_gmt":"2020-07-02T07:14:55","slug":"774000-workers-recruitment-fg-national-assembly-flex-muscles-federal-lawmakers-dare-buhari","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/2020\/07\/02\/774000-workers-recruitment-fg-national-assembly-flex-muscles-federal-lawmakers-dare-buhari\/","title":{"rendered":"774,000 workers recruitment: FG, National Assembly flex muscles, federal lawmakers dare Buhari"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u2022 You can only probe, you can\u2019t order executive, minister replies legislators<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 We have powers to suspend exercise, federal lawmakers tell President<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday Aborisade, <\/strong>Friday Olokor, Adelani Adepegba and Leke Baiyewu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Assembly, on Wednesday, said it had suspended the Federal Government\u2019s planned recruitment of 774, 000 Nigerians under the  Special Public Works programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The spokesperson for the Senate, Dr Ajibola Basiru, and his counterpart for the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu,\u00a0 who announced the suspension, said the President, Muhammadu Buhari, could challenge the decision in court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basiru, at a press conference he addressed in the National Assembly, Abuja read a statement they jointly issued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the statement,  the spokesperson said the federal parliament took the decision following the disagreement between it and the Minister of State for Employment, Labour and Productivity, Mr Festus Keyamo, on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lawmakers also hinged their decision on the fact that the programme did not exclusively belong to the President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said it was jointly conceived by the executive and the legislature. They argued that they could not be kept in the dark over its implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Keyamo, in an interview with our correspondent, said the recruitment would not be suspended as directed by the National Assembly. According to him, the legislature has no power to issue directives to the executive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The President had,  a few months ago, approved the employment of 774, 000 workers to cushion the effect of the economic hardship caused by COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the arrangement, 1, 000 Nigerians, who will earn N20, 000 each on a monthly basis for three months, are expected to be recruited in each of the 774 local government areas of the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programme will start in October this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keyamo was ordered out of the National Assembly on Tuesday following his refusal to apologise after the legislators accused him of raising his voice against them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity,  had summoned the minister and the Director General of the National Directorate of Employment, Mr Nasiru Argungu, to brief its members on the steps so far taken to recruit 774, 000 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trouble started when the lawmakers criticised  Keyamo for allegedly engaging in a lopsided recruitment without the active involvement of the  NDE, the agency that got N52bn approval from the National Assembly to implement the programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The argument that ensued afterwards led to a shouting match between both parties which later forced the lawmakers to order Keyamo out of the meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

N\u2019Assembly summons labour minister<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a press conference on Wednesday,  the spokesperson for the Senate  said the National Assembly had summoned the minister in charge of the ministry to appear before the legislature to explain the recruitment modalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cIn view of the foregoing, the implementation of the programme shall be put on hold pending proper briefing of the National Assembly by the minister of labour and productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe National Assembly is concerned about the proper and effective implementation of the engagement of 774,000 public works workers and wishes to restate its commitment to its success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAccordingly, the National Assembly reminds members of the public that the legislature was part of the conception of the programme, approved it and appropriated funds for its implementation as part of the COVID-19 response strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe National Assembly, in line with its constitutional oversight function, has mandated its committee on labour and productivity to immediately invite the Honourable  Minister for Labour and Productivity and any other relevant official of the ministry to appear before the joint committee to brief it on the modalities for the implementation of the engagement of 774,000 persons for public works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn accordance with the constitutional imperative of oversight, the legislature being important stakeholders in the democratic process, and elected representatives of the people, should  be briefed about the modalities for implementation for effective feedback to our constituents and in ensuring that our constituents optimally participate in and benefit from the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe National Assembly will ensure transparency of the process just as it has done with the National Social Register by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have powers to suspend recruitment, lawmakers tell Buhari<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basiru said the National Assembly had the  powers to suspend the recruitment exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He, however, said Buhari could  go to court to challenge the decision of the National Assembly to halt the exercise, if he was not satisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cIf the President sees that his powers  are  being encroached on, he can approach the court of law. What we are saying is this, this project, the way you are looking at it, is as if it is an exclusively presidential project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conception of the programme, its approval and its funding are with the consideration of the National Assembly because we believe it is going to be beneficial for the purpose of addressing the challenges of COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s government programme, not President\u2019s, we are part of govt<\/strong> \u2013 N\u2019Assembly<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is no exclusivity in terms of any programme that is to be implemented, except the National Assembly is not part of government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGovernment as defined by the 1999 Constitution has three components:  legislative powers (are contained in) Section 4, executive powers (in) Section 5 and the judicial powers (in) Section 6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is the totality that constitutes government; so when you are saying government is executing a programme, it is not President Muhammadu Buhari that is doing the programme, it is the government of the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe implementation, appropriation and execution all rolled into one. There is no dichotomy as such as encroaching on the powers of the President. Assuming the National Assembly is opposed to the programme, we could have not approved it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen journalists also raised issues about the humanitarian social register and the National Assembly intervened, there is now more transparency in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur people will also ask questions, \u2018These  1, 000 people, how were they employed?\u2019 \u2018Who set up the selection committee?\u2019 \u2018What are the modalities for recruitment?\u2019 \u2018What are the minimum requirements for recruitment?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt cannot be left to the whims of a person or a branch of government.  It has to be the totality of the government.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senators describe Keyamo\u2019s outbursts as executive rascality<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, two senators,  at separate press conferences on Wednesday, lambasted Keyamo over his outbursts at the investigative hearing organised by the National Assembly joint panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senators \u2013 Messrs Ifeanyi Ubah and Gershom Basset \u2013 described Keyamo\u2019s attitude as executive rascality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ubah said, \u201cI can speak as a member of the Senate committee on the media that it is not a good thing for an appointee of the executive to behave the way he did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is the duty of the legislature to check   the executive.  As a representative of my constituents, it is something worthwhile for me  to request how the distribution of employment  to Nigerians is handled by an appointee of the executive who is not even a substantive minister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI felt it is a very bad display of rascality. I don\u2019t know what a senator will be doing with a job of N20,000 and N30,000, if not to make sure that it is given to people in his constituency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bassey noted with regret that Keyamo\u2019s attitude was not only disgraceful but also unfortunate. \u201cSuch rascality should be highly condemned by Nigerians,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keyamo shuns lawmakers, says exercise going ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Keyamo told our correspondent that the recruitment of 774,000 persons\u00a0 would not be suspended despite the National Assembly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked if he would heed the National Assembly\u2019s directive, the minister simply said, \u201cNo, I would not.I stand by what I said in my press statement of yesterday (Tuesday).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can only investigate, you can\u2019t order executive, minister replies lawmakers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI only insisted on the provision of the constitution.  I insist that they have no powers under Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution. Their powers under Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution are only limited to investigations, but not to give any directive to the executive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commenting on some senators\u2019 stance that his conduct was rascally during the Tuesday meeting, Keyamo retorted, \u201cSomebody, a lawmaker, threw a microphone at me, so the public should judge who is rascally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe whole world saw a lawmaker throw a microphone at me, while I sat calmly. The only thing I insisted on yesterday was for them to obey the law of Nigeria. If they want to expose anything, exposure means to be done in public, not in private.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The minister contended that he was tactful during his face-off with the senators, noting that the footage of the encounter could bear him out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI only insisted on the constitution to be obeyed, nothing more. Lastly, throughout my encounter, I never used any foul language, I kept referring to them as distinguished senators,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The crisis will be resolved within 24 hours<\/strong> \u2013 Gbajabiamila<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday disclosed that leadership of the National Assembly had begun moves to resolve the crisis between lawmakers and  Keyamo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gbajabiamila said the issue would be resolved within 24 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Speaker made this known in Abuja when he showed up at an investigative hearing organised by the House Committee on Public Accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The committee, which is chaired by Mr Wole Oke, is currently investigating the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme of the Federal Government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Speaker condemned what happened between the National Assembly committee and Keyamo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said,  \u201cIt is unfortunate that the National Assembly is not allowed to operate as it should. However, I want to assure you that the matter would be resolved within 24 hours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reject letters  from officials seeking to influence recruitments, FG directs MDAs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a related development,  the President has directed agencies not to honour any letter from any appointee or other government official seeking to influence recruitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who conveyed Buhari\u2019s position in a statement  in Abuja on Wednesday, said vacant positions were for all Nigerians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the minister, the President is of the view that using one\u2019s positions to get favour   is  \u201cantithetical to the character of the administration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed stated, \u201cThe President\u2019s repeated warning followed persistent reports of fraudsters using the business cards and purported referral letters from presidential aides and other government officials to solicit employment, contracts and other favours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed told ministries, departments and agencies to \u201cdisregard any purported request from government officials aiming to confer undue advantage on anyone seeking such favours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said Buhari\u2019s regime had put in place a systematic and disciplined approach to ensure smooth running of government for all Nigerians, whether in the area of employment or contract procurement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis system should be allowed to work for all Nigerians without interference,\u201d the minister stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: Punch<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u2022 You can only probe, you can\u2019t order executive, minister replies legislators \u2022 We have powers to suspend exercise, federal lawmakers tell President Sunday Aborisade, Friday Olokor, Adelani Adepegba and Leke Baiyewu The National Assembly, on Wednesday, said it had suspended the Federal Government\u2019s planned recruitment of 774, 000 Nigerians under the  Special Public Works programme. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4662,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9412","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-naija-news"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.funminews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Lawan-Gbajabiamila-NASS.jpg?fit=400%2C280&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9412","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9412"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9412\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9412"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9412"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.funminews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9412"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}