COVID-19: President Buhari Approves Recruitment Of 774, 000 Nigerians

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the employment of one thousand people each from the 774 Local Government Areas in the country to aide in the battle against Coronavirus pandemic.

The development was confirmed in a statement by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who noted that the 774, 000 Nigerians will be engaged on Special Public Works programme to help in curbing the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja a day ago, the minister who respond to questions on fiscal stimulus measures in response to COVID-19 pandemic and oil prices fiscal shock, disclosed that 1,000 persons would be recruited from each of the 774 local government areas in Nigeria, adding that the government has approved the sum of N60 billion for allowances and operational cost from the COVID-19 crisis intervention fund to aide the initiative.

Zainab reveals further that President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier approved a pilot special public works programme in eight states to be implemented by the National Directorate of Employment, NDE.

However, the programme will now be extended to all 36 States, including the FCT starting from October through December 2020, noting that the time-frame was to ensure that it was implemented after the planting season.

The statement reads: “The Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning is also evaluating how best to extend the Special Public Works Programme, to provide modest stipends for itinerant workers to undertake Roads Rehabilitation and Social Housing Construction.”

“And also Urban and Rural Sanitation, Health Extension and other critical services. This intervention will be undertaken in conjunction with the key federal ministries responsible for Agriculture, Environment, Health and Infrastructure, as well as the states, to financially empower individuals who lose their jobs due to the economic crisis.

“Mr. President has approved the establishment of a-N500 billion COVID-19 Crisis Intervention Fund. The establishment of the Fund will involve drawing much-needed cash resources from various Special Funds and Accounts, in consultation with and with the approval of the National Assembly.”

“The N500 billion is proposed to be utilized to upgrade healthcare facilities as earlier identified by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and approved by Mr. President.

“This will help to finance the Federal Government’s Interventions to support states in improving healthcare facilities, finance the creation of a Special Public Works programme and Fund any additional interventions that may be approved by Mr. President”.

Meanwhile, 9jatoday had reported earlier that Oil prices fell sharply on Monday after a meeting to discuss production cuts between OPEC and its allies was delayed, dampening hopes for swift action to support coronavirus-ravaged energy markets.