By ZAKAA LAZARUS, Abuja
The Director General of National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General YD Ahmed has appealed for robust support from the 774 Local Government Chairmen cross the country.
He said this would enhance the achievements of the Scheme which largely depends on the commitment and active participation of key role players in the running of the Scheme.
General Ahmed stated this while addressing the National Executive Council Meeting of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Lafia.
He said Management has made a sustained advocacy on the proper performance of stakeholders’ roles as spelt out in the NYSC Act Cap N84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
General Ahmed stated further that the role of Local Governments are critical to the smooth operations of the NYSC because majority of Corps Members posted to serve in the rural areas support developmental strides, especially through their Primary Assignments in schools, Primary Healthcare Centres and other aspects of national economy.
The Director General informed the Council Chairmen that while the Federal Government shoulders a greater part of the responsibility of running the Scheme, the enabling Act saddles States and Local Governments with complimentary responsibilities which include the provision of facilities like; Orientation Camps, Corps Transit Lodge, Corps Lodges, Office Accommodation and other forms of intervention that are essential for the welfare of Corps Members and the general success of the Scheme.
While appreciating the Local Government Chairmen for their individual and collective gestures in supporting the Scheme, such as the provision of accommodation for Corps Members and facilitation of their integration into the host communities, General Ahmed added that there is much to be done in many Local Government Areas across the country to make the operating environment more conducive for the Scheme.
“Permit me at this juncture to highlight some of the key issues that require your attention such as; formation of NYSC Local Government Committees. Section 8 Sub-Sections 1, 2, and 3 of the NYSC Act provides for the establishment, composition and functions of the NYSC Local Government Committee in each of the 774 Local Government Areas of the country. However, the committees have not been in existence in many of the Local Government Areas over the years.
Therefore, to ensure smooth operations of the Scheme at the grassroots, the committees need to be put in place and empowered with the necessary resources to enable them function effectively.
I therefore appeal to those of you that do not have the committees to establish and make them functional”, he said.
General Ahmed further informed the Council Chairmen that Management is in constant liaison with security agencies, adding that Section 8 Sub-Section 3 (d) of the NYSC Act saddles the Local Government Councils with the responsibility of ensuring the safety of Corps Members serving in each Local Government.
He also requested them to use their offices to influence other stakeholders such as traditional rulers, religious and community leaders to complement the efforts of the security agencies in their areas.
The Director General advised the Local Government authorities that host NYSC Orientation Camps to contribute towards ensuring the safety of the camp facilities through local security arrangements.
He also informed the Chairmen that the condition of some of NYSC Zonal and Local Government offices leave much to be desired, while some of the Scheme’s Zonal and Local Government Inspectors operate in dilapidated structures, others have inadequate office spaces thereby hindering effective performance of their duties.
The DG however thanked the Local Governments that have provided befitting office accommodation, while he appealed to others to do same so as to enhance the smooth conduct of the Scheme’s operations.
Other statutory areas that the DG harped on include; transport for Corps Inspection in order to enhance grassroots development and support for Community Development Service Projects.
The National President of ALGON, Hon Aminu Mu’azu Maifata in his remarks lauded the Scheme for it’s remarkable achievements over the past fifty-one years.
He however promised that the requests of the Director General would be considered.
