FG Flags Off Extended Special Public Works Programme in Edo to engage 18,000 unmployed youth

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By Imelda Osayande (08038569846)

Benin, Jan. 21, 2021(NAN) The Federal Government on Thursdays, flagged off Extended Special Public Works (SPW) Programme in Benin to engage 18, 000 unmployed  youths a cross the 18 local government Area in Edo.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire on behalf of the FGN , said that the youth would be engaged for the next three months in minor Road maintenance, Clearinghouse of Drainages in the cities, towns and villages, Erection of road signs among others.

According to the Minister who was represented by former Head of Service, Edo; Mr Sunny Okpaise,   "Each of them would be paid N20,000 per month.

" The impact of these activities in the state include 1000 unmployed youths per local government, which N60,000 per youth for three months.

" N20, 000 million into each Local Government Area in three monthly will give a total of N1,080,000.00 into the state economy in three months."

Ehanire noted that the youth are the driving force in the existence of the nation, adding that as such, they  became the livewire of a Nation.

"SPW is an outcome of the pilot special Public Works Programme in the Rural Area approved by President Muhammadu Buhari and implemented by  National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in early part of the 2020.

He said that the pilot was implemented in eigh states of the federation inorder to  gauge it's impact on addressing the ballooning of the unmployed and rising insecurity in some parts of the country.

He added that the strategy was adopted to fast-track the achievement of the Economy Recovery and Growth plan (2017-2020)

On his part, the acting Director General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Fikpo said that the Extended Special Public Works Programme was designed a a veritable tool through which the lives of 774,000 unmployed Nigerias would be positively touched in the next three months.

Fikpo, represented by his Deputy Director of NDE, Mr Henry Airiohuodion appealed to benefiting communities to cooperate with the participants and officials as they go about their duties.

He however commended the Minister of Labour and employment, Chairman of the Board of the NDE, Mr Festus Keyamu, (SAN) for his uncommon zeal and determination towards the realization of lofty ideal.  (NAN)
IMEL/