On Thursday, March 25, the Federal Government had released N288bn out of the N500bn appropriated for the Covid-19 intervention programs under the Economic sustainability Plan.
This was made known in a statement titled “Over two million jobs saved, created, as FG releases N288bn for ESP,/COVID-19 implementation by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande.
According to the statement, 2.1 million jobs have been saved, including new ones created, while over 4000km of federal and rural roads are at least 30% completed since the program commenced.
The statement also included that the figures emerged from a meeting of the Economic Sustainability Committee on Thursday presided over by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.
In the statement, the Ministers and heads of agencies executing the Buhari administration’s Economic Sustainability Plan reported significant improvement in the implementation of the plan, as the Federal Government ramps up funding for projects across sectors to impact more Nigerians.
The statement reads “Already more than 50% of the appropriated sum for the ESP has been released.
“Under the Survival Fund scheme specifically, 1.3 million jobs have been saved, and another 774,000 jobs created from the Public Works Programme. This is apart from the total 26,021 jobs created from construction and rehabilitation works.
“Other highlights include the release of 100% (i.e. N5bn) appropriation for the COVID-19 Aviation intervention; 50% funding (N26bn) for the Public Works scheme hiring 774,000 persons across the country, among others.”
The statement also quoted the Vice President for commending the Ministers for a job well done.
The Vice President also urged the Ministers and head of agencies not to rest on their oars as he encouraged them to always implement key programs of government.
According to Vice President, he said, “It is important for us to continually bear in mind that we really must ensure that the vast majority of our people are not allowed to suffer.
“So, I feel we should be thinking more about the next thing that we need to do.”
The statement also highlights another key progress report which involves the release of N1. 25 billion (50%) of the National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons for the implementation of programs for the vulnerable and displaced persons.
The statement stated that “The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development received N2.45 billion representing 7.5% of N32.45 billion for cash transfer to the poor and vulnerable, while the balance of N30 billion is being processed.
“In strengthening the health system, the minister said 52 Federal Tertiary Health Institutions received N23.57 billion (N853m each) for the establishment of ICUs, Molecular Laboratories, and Isolation Centres.
“The progress report presented by the minister showed that in 38 FTHs implementation is at an average of 47% completion with procurement process completed and equipment supply in progress.
“Expected outcomes from the interventions in the sector include 520 fully equipped ICU beds available in FTHs; 52 Isolation wards with an aggregate of 1040 beds and associated patient monitoring equipment and 52 molecular labs with the capacity to carry out a minimum of 150 PCR test a day.
“Other releases for the health sector, according to the minister include, N10 billion for the establishment of a bio-vaccine laboratory; N5.02 billion representing 50% to the Ministry of Health.”
Another key report in the statement was the report of digital skill support for youth and women, a program that will be anchored by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
The statement noted that the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clem Agba, reported that N1. 5bn which is 50 percent of the amount appropriated for the scheme primarily targeted for job creation has been released to the ministry.
Adding that the program intervention is for the training of 600 youths from each of the 6 geo-political zones on VSAT technologies who will also be supported with laptops and stipends.
The Minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has received N625 million (representing 50% of appropriated funds) to implement an empowerment scheme for women through capacity building in innovation and vocational training.
For the Ministry of Youths and Sports, the minister was quoted as saying that N2.6 billion representing 50 percent appropriation was released for implementation of the youth employability improvement scheme.
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