By Correspondent in Ilorin
About 16,000 beneficiaries of the Federal Government Extended Special Public Works (ESPW) programme from Kwara state will earn a total of almost N1 billion for the next three months.
Speaking at the launching of the programme in Ilorin on Saturday, the state Chairman of the selection committee of the programme, Olusegun Oyewo, said that the beneficiaries who cut across the 16 local government areas of the state, would earn a monthly stipend of N20,000 each for three months.
Represented by the vice chairman, Ahmed Yusuf, Oyewo said that, “the goal is to mitigate lack of job opportunities in rural areas with this three-month programme”.
He revealed that the metrics used for the selection of the 16,000 beneficiaries was such that 46 per cent of the beneficiaries was for females, 54 per cent males; 37 per cent graduates, non-graduate 63 per cent.
Other metrics, according to him, are ages: 56 per cent for ages between 18 and 30; 31-40 32 per cent, ages 41-50 12 per cent; persons with disability got five
per cent.
“I am especially glad that while the committee aimed for 30
per cent female participation, we achieved 46 per cent. This high
percentage shows the value we attach to the role our mothers and sisters play in our homes and society.
“For the next three months, each of you will earn N20,000 per month,
totaling N60,000 each. I believe this amount will make an impact in
mitigating the severe economic effects of the COVID-19 and
unemployment.
“Majority of the beneficiaries have been registered and
verified by the approved banks. I encourage those that haven’t
registered at the banks to do so immediately. The banks have also been instructed to communicate with selected beneficiaries that haven’t registered with them.
“Over the next months, Kwara State will see an influx of almost N1 billion one into its rural economy.
He noted that the trickle-down effect of the programme at thelocal economy would be positive, adding,”It is our prayer that social
intervention programs like this are created and implemented more often by the Federal government.”
In a remark, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said in
due course, government and the organized private sector might create or provide exit options for the beneficiaries.
The minister, who was represented by Mrs. Ibiyemi Abegunde, added that the “Federal Government shall closely monitor the implementation of the programme to ascertain the efficient utilization of every
resource, human/material committed to the programme.”
Earlier, the Acting Director General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mallam Abubakar Fikpo, represented by Roseline Olawoyin, urged the participants to diligently execute their assigned tasks throughout the duration of the programme.
Fikpo also urgedd Nigerians living within all the benefiting communities to cooperate with the participants and officials as they go about their duties.
Speaking with Journalists, Alhaji Umar Salihu-Balogun, who represented the Emir of Ilorin in the selection Committee said that the selection of the participants was carefully done to pick the targeted audience of the programme-the poorest of the poor in the society without any external influence.
