The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General YD Ahmed has decried the poor attitude of the various tiers of the government in buying into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme, especially the States and Local Governments. The Director General described their attitude to their responsibilities as abysmally low in the last 50 years of the Scheme.
Ahmed, disclosed this on Tuesday, during the media chat with Editors and Bureau Chiefs at the NYSC Headquarters, Abuja.
Ahmed lauded President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s unwavering support for the scheme and appreciated its efforts in sustaining the dream and vision of the Scheme adding that the State and Local Governments should be alive to their responsibilities.
He further stated that the scheme has continued to wax stronger despite the odds facing it, adding that the programme has done well in the last 50 years.
Speaking on the responsibilities of government and other stakeholders in the sustenance of the programme, the DG explained that stakeholders’ attitudes to the roles expected of them have become one of the challenges faced by the scheme, especially the State and Local Governments.
He commended the NYSC partner agencies for their abiding faith in the Scheme.
According to him, the NYSC Act clearly spells out the responsibilities of each of the three tiers of government, stressing that the Federal Government had to shoulder the lion’s share of the scheme’s needs and demands.
Ahmed disclosed that the provision of Orientation Camp facilities, post-camp accommodations and transportation for Corps members, logistics support for inspection of Corps locations, material support for Community Development Service, and security of Corps members are the statutory responsibilities of the state and local governments but that both tiers have failed to live up to their expectations.
The DG stated that the level of response of many of the states and local governments to these duties leaves much to be desired.
“We have sustained our advocacy engagements with a view to getting State Governments to undertake renovation and upgrade of Orientation Camp facilities.
“I wish to use this opportunity to renew our appeals to the State and Local Governments that are not discharging their statutory responsibilities to reconsider their stance and support the Scheme.
“The primary beneficiaries of the services are the indigenes and residents of the States.” He said.
NYSC DG, however, said the Service is intensifying its sensitization channels on the provisions of the NYSC Act, to enable Nigerians and organisations to have a better understanding of the Scheme and play their roles toward achieving its noble objectives.
“For instance, many employers seem not to be aware of their statutory obligations to Corps Members serving in their establishments. We expected them to be above board so as to encourage the Corps members to be at their best in the course of the service.” He added.
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