Corps members have expressed disappointment over Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government’s failure to pay the announced N77,000 new allowance.
According to the serving corps members, the delay in paying the increased amount reflects the government’s low regard for the welfare of Nigerian youths selflessly serving the country.
Recall that the NYSC had in September announced the increment of the corps members’ monthly allowance from N33,000 to N77,000 with effect from July 2024.
According to a statement signed by the NYSC’s Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the directive was contained in a letter dated September 24th, and signed by the Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Mr Ekpo Nta.
However, in an interview with corps members, they disclosed that since the announcement of the increment to date, the federal government had continued to pay the N33,000 sum.
“If they had no intention of paying the money, or if they couldn’t pay it now, why did they make the announcement? We are part of the government’s responsibility. If they can’t pay it, they can undo the announcement so that we stop hoping and getting disappointed,” Laolu, a corps member serving in Kwara State said.
Another corps member serving in Abuja, Idris, said, “They paid us N33,000 again this November. I’m serving in Abuja, for goodness sake. The amount cannot even cover transportation alone, not to mention other needs. How are we expected to survive?”
Sanni Ameed another corps member serving in Ekiti State said he has lost hope of being paid N77,000. ” I once had a little faith that this will be a reality but now I don’t know what to believe anymore. If by January 2025, we’re still being paid N33,000 just forget it.”
However, efforts to reach the spokesperson for the NYSC, Caroline Embu, to comment on the matter proved abortive, as her phone lines did not connect and she was yet to respond to WhatsApp messages as of the time of filing this report.
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