FG public works programme commences with 11,000 beneficiaries in Gombe
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
National Directorate of Employment (NDE), on Friday, commenced federal government’s public works programme with 11,000 unemployed youths in Gombe State.
Each beneficiary, is expected to earn N20,000 at the end of the month, for 3 months while 1,000 are recruited from each of the 11 council areas of the State.
The event was held at the new Banquet hall, Government House, Gombe.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ali Pantami said the programme is geared towards reducing unemployment across the country, especially the negative economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic globally.
He enjoined the private sector to cue into such programme, with a view to creating more jobs.
Pantami said as a government, We thought COVID-19 should not be an excuse in providing services to the people.
He said, “It is in view of this at one of our FEC meeting precisely 16th December 2020, that we agreed to ensure it flagged-off officially by ministers.”
On his part, Gombe State governor, Inuwa Yahaya commended the federal government, while encouraging the beneficiaries to put to use the opportunity for the good of their communities and entire state.
“On your part I want to advice you to work more, continue to this and you at not know what may come out of this.
“Three months is a long time in a lifetime, I want to urge the beneficiaries, the communities to take advantages of this and work for the development of the state,” he said.
Also speaking, the acting Director General of NDE, Abubakar Fikpo, who was represented by the state coordinator Hassan Mustapha said, “this programme will help cushion the effect of the coronavirus pandemic.”
