2.1 Million Jobs Saved Under Buhari’s Economic Plan – Presidency

The Presidency, on Thursday, announced that with the release of about N288billion out of the N500 billion appropriated for COVID-19 intervention programmes under the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), at least 2.1 million jobs have been saved.

A statement issued by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity Office of the Vice President, said the jobs include new ones created, while over 4000 kilometres of federal and rural roads are at least 30% completed since the commencement of the ESP.

The statement said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who presided over Thursday’s meeting of the ESP at the presidential villa, Abuja, noted that considerable progress recorded.

He affirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s resolve to look out for the Nigerian people, and urged members of the committee “to bear in mind that the vast majority of our people are not allowed to suffer.”

According to the statement, ministers and heads of agencies executing the ESP reported significant improvement in the implementation of the plan, as the Federal Government ramps up funding for projects across sectors to impact more Nigerians. 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 per cent (i.e. N5bn) appropriation for the COVID-19 Aviation intervention; 50 per cent funding (N26bn) for the Public Works scheme hiring 774,000 persons across the country, among others.