Some states that have been unable to complete the recruitment process of artisans for the 774,000 Special Public Works (SPW) programme of the Federal Government have been granted one week extension.
Minister of State for Labour and Employment Festus Keyamo said the October 1 commencement of the programme is still on course.
Keyamo said on Monday that “There was a board meeting of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) chaired by me. We looked at the situation and said in deserving cases we may extend for a few days, for some states that have not submitted their final lists.
“We are still looking at October 1 to begin nationwide. There are one or two internal issues in terms of logistics we are dealing with, but we will overcome that.
“We are lining those who will go to their different states and regions to flag off for us. That will be made known in the next few days.”
He added that banks would commence capturing of successful applicants for the jobs this week.
“The banks will soon start capturing them because the first payment will be at the end of October.
“The banks will start capturing them in different local government areas. We have concluded arrangements with six different banks. We have even collected the forms.”
The SWP is a federal Government program designed to employ 1,000 persons from each of the 774 Local Government councils in the country.
Each of the participants will be paid N20,000 per month duration and will do public works as designed by the NDE in their council areas.