Keyamo finally Apologies for Disrespecting National Assembly

By Iyojo Ameh

The former Minister of State for Labour Employment and Productivity, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, has apologized to the Senate for disrespecting the National Assembly over the implementation of the 774,000 Special Public Works Programme implemented in the last administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Earlier, the Senate witnessed a rowdy session after the Senate Minority Whip, Darlington Nwokocha raised issues against Keyamo, a ministerial nominee from Delta State, when he appeared for screening.

Nwokocha had accused Keyamo of disrespecting the 9th National Assembly accusing it of being corrupt when he was summoned to give explanation on the implementation of the special works Programme.

The sum of N52 billion was allocated for the Programme which was coordinated by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) under the supervision of the minister of state for labour, employment and productivity.

The programme was targeted at employing 1,000 unskilled youths in each of the 774 LGAs for three months across the country.

The beneficiaries were expected to engage in public service works and receive a monthly stipend of N20,000 for three months.

Senator Nwokocha drew the attention of the Senate to how Keyamo ignored the National Assembly when asked to give explanation on the implementation of the programme.

He therefore moved a motion that the Senate suspend the screening of Keyamo pending when he will give full explanation on how he handled and disbursed the N52 billion.

His motion was seconded by Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia-South).

The Senate President, thereafter subjected the motion to a voice vote but the legislators were divided on the matter and the floor of the Senate went into uncontrollable uproar.

A point of order was raised by the Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele asking the red chamber to go into closed session to resolve the matter.

Speaking after the Senate resumed from closed session that lasted for about three hours, Keyamo said: “I apologise and the apology is without reservation.”

He said the entire register of the “beneficiaries of the special public works and their details, including their account number and BVNs are with the NDE.”

Senator Godiya Akwashiki (SDP Nasarawa) urged his colleagues to accept Keyamo’s apology.

Senator Ali Ndume therefore moved a motion that the Senate do accept apology and allow him to take the leave of the Senate.

Ndume’s motion was seconded by Senator Barinada Mpigi (PDP, Rivers).
Akpabio therefore asked the nominee to take the usual ‘bow and go’.

Thereafter, the Senate confirmed the nomination of all the 48 ministerial nominees sent by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.