NYSC to place corps members on public service salary scale

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says it is working toward
placing corps members on a public service salary scale to stop
frequent agitation for a review of their allowances.
Its Director-General, Brig. Gen. Johnson Olawumi, said this at a media
chat on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that already, the scheme was collaborating with the National
Salaries and Wages Commission to concretise the proposal.
Olawumi said that the scheme had made series of attempts at the
National Assembly to secure an adjustment in the allowances of the
corps members, adding that such attempts had been unsuccessful.

He said that the scheme had taken the matter before the wages
commission for a solution, adding that the current N19, 800 monthly
allowances for corps members was inadequate in view of the economic
situation in the country.

The NYSC boss also announced the resuscitation of the Presidential
Award to corps members who had excelled in their service to the
nation, adding that the 2013 and 2014 editions would hold this year.
"It (award) was instituted in 1974 with the purpose of rewarding corps
members that distinguished themselves through selfless service to
their host communities.

"The 2012 and 2013 editions of the award will be hosted later in the
year along with the 2014 edition and preparations are already in top
gear in this regard.''
On request for corps members' relocation, Olawumi said that such
requests were approved only on marital and health grounds.

"However, with the current security situation in some states of the
country, the scheme applies the doctrine of necessity when corps
members apply for relocation on security reasons.
"In such instances, the corps members get relocated automatically; but
not to a state of their choice.''
He, however, warned that the scheme had concluded arrangement to
punish those corps members who presented fake health report to aid
their relocation, adding that the drastic action would be applied to
all those caught in the act to serve as a lesson to others.

Meanwhile, Olawumi said that more than 2.7 million graduates had
passed through the scheme since its inception in 1975. (NAN)

Reference: Vanguard