From Ben Adaji, Jalingo
Seven months after, Taraba State governor, Agbu Kefas, is yet to pay members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, serving in public schools N245,000 each as welfare package.
It would be recalled that in September 2023, Kefas reportedly announced the award of the money to corps members serving in public schools to boost their morale towards doing their best.
He made the announcement through a statement issued by the Commissioner of Information and Re-orientation, Zainab Usman.
The package breakdown announced by the commissioner showed that each corps member would get N50,000 as medical allowance, N75,000 as housing allowance and N120,000 as stipends.
The commissioner disclosed that the governor initiated the package due to the increase in school enrollment as a result of government’s free basic education programme.
According to the commissioner, “The surge in new enrollment witnessed in our primary and secondary schools in the last ten working days necessitated immediate action.
“As an emergency response to the education situation, Kefas approved significant allowances for NYSC members serving in Taraba State schools, including additional N10,000 to be added to their monthly allowance.
“A one-time payment of N50,000 as medical allowance, accommodation allowance of N25,000 per term, totalling N75,000 for three terms.
“Also, corps members who distinguished themselves while serving in schools will be offered automatic employment opportunities”.
She disclosed that the governor has directed the Ministries of Education and Youth and Sports Development to ensure prompt implementation of the new measures.
Our correspondent’s findings revealed that seven months after the governor’s promise, the hope of corps members are still hanging in the balance.
Most of them who spoke to our correspondent anonymously described the commissioner’s statement as ‘executive empty promises”.
“As I talk to you now, I still receive N6,000, not even the N10,000 promised. Likewise the N25,000 promised to be paid to us as accommodation fees for each term, we have not received including the N50,000 medical allowances.
“We have less than two months to complete our service year, so when will the governor fulfill the promise”, they questioned.
Mrs Usman did not pick calls or respond to text messages put across by our correspondent on the alleged empty promises to corps members.
