As the cash crunch hits every sector of the economy, Director-General of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Sulyman Kazaure, on Monday told the Senate that lack of funds may halt the mobilisation of 2016 Batch A Stream 2 prospective corps members for orientation.
Kazaure told the Senate Committee on Sports in Abuja that the orientation exercise, scheduled to commence on Friday in 37 camps across the country, may be postponed as the money required for the exercise was yet to be provided by the federal government.
“We are presently at a loss in NYSC now as there is no money for us to mobilise thousands of prospective corps members in the Batch A Stream 2 to camp this Friday. “The problem staring us in the face arose from the N13 billion shortfall we had in the 2016 budget estimate which the agency made strong request for its provision during budget defence,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Senate committee on Sports, Sen. Obinna Ogba (PDP Ebonyi Central), assured that the senate would do all in its power to resolve the matter.
“We have listened to you and we are also disturbed by the problem at hand as regards paucity of funds for mobilisation of prospective corps members. “NYSC is not something to joke with; even if it is through urgent supplementary budget provisions, the problem must be quickly tackled by the Federal Government,” he said.
In a related development, the Rivers State Government has announced a 100 per cent increase in the monthly allowance of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the state.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Kenneth Kobani, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Port Harcourt that the allowance was increased from N5,000 to N10,000.
“The allowance of the corps members have been increased, and Gov. Nyesom Wike has approved the increment. “I have discussed it with the NYSC State Coordinator. They will get the funds shortly, the governor has approved it,” he said, while adding that the state government would continue to support the NYSC through adequate facilities and security.
