President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the 'engagement' of
774,000 Nigerians for the Special public works programme to help cushion the
effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab
Ahmed disclosed this at a press conference on fiscal stimulus measures in
response to COVID-19 outbreak and the shock from drop in Oil prices, on Monday
April 6.
According to Mrs Ahmed N60b has been earmarked for the
initiative and each of the 774 local governments in Nigeria will provide 1000
youths for the initiative and wikll help to financially empower individuals who
lose their jobs due to the economic crisis.
“The Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National
Planning is also evaluating how best to extend the Special Public Works
Programme, to provide modest stipends for itinerant workers to undertake Roads
Rehabilitation and Social Housing Construction.'' Mrs Ahmed said.
“And also Urban and Rural Sanitation, Health Extension and
other critical services. This intervention will be undertaken in conjunction
with the key federal ministries responsible for Agriculture, Environment,
Health and Infrastructure, as well as the states, to financially empower
individuals who lose their jobs due to the economic crisis.
“Mr. President has approved the establishment of a-N500
billion COVID-19 Crisis Intervention Fund. The establishment of the Fund will
involve drawing much-needed cash resources from various Special Funds and
Accounts, in consultation with and with the approval of the National Assembly.
“The N500 billion is proposed to be utilized to upgrade
healthcare facilities as earlier identified by the Presidential Task Force on
COVID-19 and approved by Mr. President.
“This will help to finance the Federal Government’s
Interventions to support states in improving healthcare facilities, finance the
creation of a Special Public Works programme and Fund any additional
interventions that may be approved by Mr. President”.
