Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta
The Federal Government on Monday disclosed Ogun beneficiaries of its Extended Special Public Works Programme (SPW) would earn N1.2bn in three months.
The FG said the programme was part of efforts to cushion effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on the economy.
Minister of Mine and Steel Development Olamilekan Adegbite disclosed this at the flag off of the scheme in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital, stressing that projects translate to injecting N1.2bn into the state’s economy.
The Minister added that N400m will be paid monthly to the beneficiaries in the state, amounting to N1.2bn in three months, expressing the confidence it would have a huge impact on households and the local economy.
He explained the programme was aimed at providing the necessary economic palliatives to the 20,000 unemployed youths selected across the 20 local governments of the state.
He said: “Through this programme, about N 400 million will go into the economy of Ogun state every month for the next three months and that’s about N 1.2 billion. That will mean a great impact on the local economy.
“President Muhammad Buhari, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic though of the best way to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown and series of programmes were put in place. This is just one of the programmes put in place to mitigate the effects of the pandemic,” he said.
Governor Dapo Abiodun stressed the programme would complement his administration’s job creation programmes, which aim at reducing unemployed rate to the barest minimum in the state.
Read Also: Work begins on Ogun college road
Abiodun, who was represented by his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, stated he had put a team of people in place to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation of the programme.
“We have a team in place which has been working to make sure that the monitoring and evaluation is in place.
“It’s very important for our people to participate and participate well. We will try our best to make sure that our citizens do things well.
“This programme compliments our own job creation programme in Ogun State and as we all know, youth employment as part of the agenda of our governor.
“We have beneficiaries, one thousand per Local Government. This programme compliments our own job creation programme in Ogun State and as we all know, youth employment as part of the agenda of our governor.”