The Federal Government is facing strong criticism over the temporary employment of seven hundred and seventy-four thousand people under the Direct Work Programme.
The latest criticism followed the circulation of images showing the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, FESTUS KEYAMO, demonstrating with a cutlass and wheelbarrow at the launch of the programme in Delta State.
Some residents of Lagos told Lasgidi FM’s CHUKWUEMEKA OBIOMA that engaging Nigerians for manual grass cutting in the name of employment does not tell well about the government.
Other residents of Lagos have said the twenty-thousand-naira monthly allowance to be paid to those who are taking part in the Direct Work Programme is not enough.
However, others said it was better that the government was offering manual labour jobs to unemployed Nigerians, than allowing them to remain idle.
Meanwhile; FESTUS KEYAMO has said that the direct labour jobs is meant for labourers to carry out community services.
KEYAMO said it would not be wise for government to spend money to buy expensive equipment and training for jobs that are meant to last for three months.