The Minister of State for Labour and Employment , Festus Keyamo ( SAN ) , has accused unnamed politicians of harassing him over the public works programme meant to create 774, 000 unskilled jobs .
He vowed not to succumb to any form of blackmail , pledging to drive the initiative to a successful conclusion .
Speaking in Abuja on Monday at the inauguration of state selection committees of the programme , Keyamo cautioned the state chairmen against compromising the objective of the initiative which he said was to give job opportunity to the people .
He said any chairman that failed to adhere to the guidelines on the operation of the scheme would be removed.
The minister said , “ There have been attempts at blackmailing me in this particular programme too to make us also yield to political leaders and we have said no – not while I am here .
“ I have a pedigree ; I have a background; I know where I am coming from . Before I came into public office , I have a pedigree and what I stand for .
“ Except Mr President, who appointed me stops me, and who gave me the opportunity and rare privilege to drive this programme, except he stops me, no other political leader or person can stop me. I am answerable only to Mr President . ”
The minister added that in the past, certain people entrusted with such a programme handed it over to political leaders as a form of patronage .
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