Imo Gets 27,000 Slots As FG Flags Off 774,000 Jobs Programme

The Federal Government has flagged-off the Special Public Works Program in Imo State, an initiative that would create 774,000 jobs across the country.

The government had launched the programme despite attempt by the House of Representatives to block the move, saying they must be actively involved in the process.

The government had allocated N52bn for the implementation of the project in the 2021 budget.

Based on the arrangement, each local government gets 1,000 slots, but Imo state has 27 LGAs, giving a total of 27,000 jobs slots.

The Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajuba, said during the launch of the programme at the Ahiajoku convention centre, new Owerri, that the programme would reduce the number of unemployed youth in the state.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the state has the highest unemployment rate at 48.7 per cent.

Nwajuba noted that the program came as result of the FG’s campaign promises to create jobs for the masses.

He said, “To whom much is given much is expected. These works are public works in their nature. We are inviting citizens to come and be witnesses to how 1,000 persons posted to a local government cannot make any impact in improving the facilities.

“NDE is not an ad hoc office, it exists in the Ministry of Labour and Productivity. We have set up a coordinating committee within the state to monitor the implementation and sustainability of the programme.

“We have also taken responsibilities even as minister to monitor the process, government is not those who occupy office, governments are the people who must see to the implementation of these programmes and we in this state, we will ensure that those given these responsibilities deliver them.”

The Acting DG of National Directorate of Employment Mallan Abubakar said the event was a significant step in the country’s fight against mass unemployment as well as to cushion the effect of covid-19 pandemic.