From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The government of Kogi State has given an assurance that it would implore high level of transparency in the recruitment of persons to participate in the Federal Government Special Public Work Programme in the state, just as the Chairman of the Selection Committee of the Programme in Kogi, Afolabi Joseph Raji disclosed that 300 out of the 1,000 forms for participants in each Local Government across the 774 LGAs have been allocated on preferential basis.
Mr Raji who gave the assurance at a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Lokoja Local Government Area on Tuesday, dismissed the speculations that the recruitment process has been hijacked by high profile politicians and government officials in the state.
He said that the committee would continue to be transparent in its selection process, stressing that, no politician or party officials would be allowed to sabotage the good intention of President Muhammadu Buhari in delivering dividends of democracy to all Nigerians.
The chairman while handing over the recruitment forms to the Mohammed Dansebe, warned that the employment of these Nigerians should not be based on party affairs.
He stressed further that all participants must be a resident of the state and must be physically fit to do the job.
” Each local government will be given 700 forms. This is because out of the 1000 forms, 300 have been allocated on a preferential basis. They are federal, state lawmakers, traditional rulers, Islamic and Christian body, Persons with disabilities, Trade Union, Civil society and many more.
” These forms should not be given to APC members alone. It should spread across all party lines. We won’t accept any attempt to make this enrollment a party issue.
“Even though this is a programme of the APC government led by Buhari, we have been directed by the federal government that this is for all Nigerians. All parties should be carried along in the selection process. Let me warn, we won’t tolerate any act that negates the good intention of President Muhammadu Buhari.
” There is going to be a monitoring team. Whoever that is not found in their duty post will be removed from the scheme” the selection committee chairman warned.
Responding, the SSA, security to Governor Bello in charge of Lokoja Local Government, Mohammed Dansebe assured the committee of total transparency in the selection process.
It was however, gathered that 21,000 persons are expected to participate in the Special Public Work program initiated by the federal government in Kogi.
