The Senate has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to rescind the decision sacking the Director-General (DG) of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Dr Nasiru Argungu.
Argungu sack was announced last week and Abubakar Fikpo was consequently pronounced as the acting Director-General of the NDE.
Senate resolution was sequel to a Point of Order by Senator Ibrahim Hadejia.
The lawmakers expressed concern that relieving Dr Argungu of his job at this time could frustrate the take-off of the Federal Government programme aimed at providing 774, 000 jobs for unemployed Nigerians.
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan further advised the presidency to ensure a warm relationship between Dr Argungu and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Kayamo (SAN).
He said the Senate would not allow the programme that would guarantee jobs for helpless Nigerian youths to be jeopardised.
He said: “My understanding of this motion is essential to make the point that the Senate and, indeed the National Assembly, is in full support of the Social Public Works Programme.
“The recruitment of 1000 people in each local government, which comes to 774,000 slots across the country, is one that we are in total support of, and will continue to do so.
“We relate with people all the time and we know the need and imperative of such a Programme, and this administration is doing well with so many social intervention programmes and, therefore, we will continue to support such programmes.
“I think the problem is the dislocation, if I may use the word, that the sacking of the DG would cause.
“The NDE successfully implemented a pilot programme in six states under the leadership of the DG, and if there are rifts between the DG and his ministers, I think we should look at the benefits of getting this programme implemented and resolve the issues that may characterize the relationship.”
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