Civil society organization commends Nigerian government over public works programme in rural areas

A civil society organization, The Generational Citizens for Better Leadership Initiative in Abuja, has commended the federal government on the Special Public Works Programme in the Rural Areas.

Penpushing reports that the organization in a statement by its  spokesperson Mohammed Basah noted that the program is a welcome development and very timely considering the happenings in the country.

The organization said  the programme shows that, this goes to show that  President Muhammed Buhari  is truly committed to lifting ordinary Nigerians out of poverty,adding that, Generational Citizens for Better Leadership Initiative will be mobilizing its members across the states to ensure that when the program begins it succeeds

Penpushing further reports that, the program is one of the biggest social intervention schemes to be carried out within a short period of time by any government in the history of Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja, explained that the youths will be engaged in the clearing of drainages, sweeping markets, road maintenance, traffic control, and cleaning of public infrastructures like health centers and schools..

Penpushing also reports that, Keyamo  said it was part of an effort of by the Buhari led administration to mitigate lack of job opportunities in the rural areas through a short-term engagement of 1,000 unemployed persons per local government area for a period of three months.

The Special Public Works Programme is domiciled in the National Directorate of Employment for implementation and is expected to take off in October, however, the  Generational Citizens for Better Leadership Initiative called on Nigerians to support the programme.