Seven months after Gov. Agbu Kefas promised to pay the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in public schools in Taraba State N245,000 each, as welfare package, the hopes of the Corp members’ are still hanging in the balance.
In September 2023, Governor Kefas reportedly announced the award of the money to the corps members serving in public schools to boost their moral towards giving out their best.
He made the announcement through a statement issued by the state Commissioner of Information and Re-orientation, Zainab Usman.
The package breakdown announced by the Commissioner showed that each corps member would get N50,000 as medical allowance, N75,000 as housing allowance and N120,000 as stipends.
The commissioner further disclosed that the governor initiated the package due to the increase in schools enrollment as a result of the government’s free basic education programme.
According to the Commissioner, “The surge in new enrollments witnessed in our primary and secondary schools over the past ten working days has necessitated immediate action,” Mrs Usman said.
“As an emergency response to the education situation, His Excellency has approved significant allowances for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Taraba State schools, including an additional ten thousand naira to be added to their monthly allowance,” Mrs Usman continued.
“A one-time payment of fifty thousand naira as a medical allowance. An accommodation allowance of twenty-five thousand naira per term, totalling seventy-five thousand naira for three terms.
“Also, Exceptional Youth Corps members who distinguished themselves while serving in schools will be offered automatic employment opportunities.”
She further disclosed that the governor has directed the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to ensure prompt implementation of the new measures.
Our correspondent’s findings revealed that seven months after the Governor’s promise, the hopes of the corps members are still hanging in the balance.
Most of the Corps members who spoke to our correspondent but don’t want their names mentioned described the Commissioner’s statement as an ‘executive empty promises ‘.
“As I talk to you now, I still receive N6,000, not even N10,000 promised. Likewise N25,000 promised to be paid to us as accommodation fees for each term, we have not received, and also the N50,000 for medical allowances for our year of service.
” We have less than two months to complete our service year, so when will the Governor fulfill the promise.” They questioned.
Mrs Usman did not pick up calls or respond to text messages put across by our correspondent to secure her comment on the alleged Governor’s empty promises to the Youth corps members.