Economic Hardship: Corpers Demand Increase in NYSC Allowance
Several active members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are calling on Bola Tinubu to consider increasing the allowances for corps members serving across the 36 states of Nigeria.
They express their dismay over the inflated cost of living, which has compelled them to seek additional employment opportunities to meet their basic needs.
In an open letter signed by Concerned Corp Members and addressed to the President, obtained by PUNCH Online on Sunday, the corps members highlight the escalating prices of goods and services, which have driven them to take on menial jobs for sustenance.
They emphasize that the current monthly allowance of N33,000 per corps member is insufficient given the prevailing economic conditions. Therefore, they urge for a review of their wages to mitigate their financial hardships.
The letter read in part, “We would like to respectfully advocate for the inclusion of NYSC corp members in the recent wage increment initiatives. As young graduates who have committed to a year of service to our great nation under the sun and in the rain, with dedication and selflessness, we play a crucial role in various sectors, contributing to national development, community building, and the implementation of government programmes at the grassroots level.
“The skyrocketing prices of goods and services in the local markets only exacerbate our frustrations. Some necessities have become unaffordable luxuries, pushing many corps members to the brink of despair.
It is a widely known fact that the economic situation of the country needs more coping skills, because of this many of us find ourselves serving in challenging environments with higher costs of living.
“As a result of this, many of us resort to fetching and drinking water from streams and even going to farms to render services in exchange for food. These activities endanger our lives and expose us to unfavourable conditions that will harm us sooner or later.”
They called upon the NYSC administration to address the adverse working conditions that certain corps members were facing at their primary assignment locations.
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In response, Eddy Megwa, the NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations, stated that the concerns raised by the corps members would be addressed. He also assured that the Federal Government would include corps members in its plans to alleviate the suffering of the populace.
“Inflation is all over the country and everyone is affected. The NYSC is part of the government and the government understands that the NYSC is there. We want to believe, just as the DG told pressmen in Lagos when he visited the Lagos camp, that this government is a youth-friendly government and whatever will be done to civil servants, corpers would also receive a pat on the back.
“It is not the duty of the NYSC to increase the allowance of corps members, it is the duty of the FG. Bearing in mind that this government is a youth-friendly government, it would surely do something concerning the allowances of corps members when the wages of civil servants are reviewed,” Megwa disclosed.
