Enugu Govt. promises to fix dilapidated infrastructure at NYSC camp

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Monday pledged that his administration would fix dilapidated infrastructure at National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in the state.

Ugwuanyi also directed the State Rural Electrification Board to immediately restore light to the camp which had not been with public power supply for several years.

The governor said this in Awgu, Enugu State, during the swearing in ceremony of the 2018 Batch ‘A’ corps members.

Some of the facilities to be rehabilitated include abandoned male and female hostels, perimeter fence and the perennial electricity challenge in the camp.

He said that some of the projects were already captured in 2018 budget, adding that work would start soon on them.

According to the governor, the state government was aware of the many challenges and needs in the orientation camp and was taking steps to address them.

Ugwuanyi said that the state government had implementing policies aimed at equipping youths to optimize their capacity to drive national development.

“This informed the recent increment in the allowances of corps members serving in medical facilities in order to encourage them to serve in rural health centres where their services are mostly needed.

“The welfare of corps members is given priority by the state government. Very soon every corps member posted to the state institution will enjoy an upward review of the state allowances,” he said.

Ugwuanyi encouraged them to participate actively in the orientation programmes in order to draw maximum benefits to be equipped for self employment.

Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Alhaji Ahmed Ikaka, said that 2266 corps members made up of 1115 males and 1151 females were undertaking the orientation programme.

Ikaka said that the corps members would be groomed and inducted through various activities including leadership and citizenship training and lectures on topical government programmes and policies.

“One major programme that has made the NYSC very relevant today is the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurial Development programme (SAED).

“I urge you to pay special attention to the training which had been invigorated by the management of the scheme, “he said.

The state coordinator appreciated the continued support of the state government in achieving the NYSC objectives.

“We, therefore, appeal once more for the intervention of the state government in upgrading the facilities in the camp and provision of operating vehicles to facilitate inspection of corps members serving across the state.

“Some of the structures are dilapidated and require urgent renovation,” he said.

Ikaka said that the management of the scheme, through the assistance of the Director General, Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, drilled a borehole in the camp which had reduced the water scarcity experienced during orientation courses.

“That notwithstanding, I appeal to the state government to help repair the mini water scheme to boost water supply in the camp considering the number of corps members,” he said.

Ikaka also appealed to the state government to provide a transformer to restore supply of electricity to the camp and help fix the deplorable access road to the camp.