The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to establish more permanent orientation camps and rehabilitate new ones to enhance the seamless participation of prospective corps members in the National Youth Service Corps scheme.
The resolution of the House followed the consideration of a motion on notice during Thursday’s plenary, moved by Mr Garba Muhmmad.
The lawmaker, while moving the motion, noted that the NYSC scheme annually trains thousands of youths across various learning institutions for three weeks, equipping them with necessary skills and knowledge for the service year.
According to him, the management of NYSC had once decried the state of the orientation camps across Nigeria, noting that the FG needs to do more in this regard.
He said, “The House is alarmed that some states lack orientation camps to accommodate and meet the increasing number of corps members deployed, while other states temporarily utilize secondary school buildings to accommodate prospective corps members.
“We are disturbed by the current dilapidated state of permanent orientation camps in the country, which is causing dissatisfaction due to inadequate facilities overstretching the existing facilities, leaving corps members with no options other than to be redeployed to neighbouring states for camping activities.
“The House is concerned that due to space limitations, Corps members frequently have to travel for longer periods after being deployed.”
Cognizant of the need for spacious, habitable orientation camps, with each camp accommodating at least 5,000 participants at a time across the states of the Federation;
Also cognizant of the need to ensure the provisions of the state-of-the-art facilities, build additional camps, to empower Nigerian Corp Members with life survival skills and strategies, ensuring sustainable development and evolutionary trends;
Members present at the plenary voted overwhelmingly in support of the motion when put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary.
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the FG to collaborate with state governments to construct additional camps and expand existing ones to accommodate at least 5,000 participants in each state of the federation.
It also urged the Federal Ministry of Youth, in collaboration with other stakeholders, to work out modalities to achieve the construction and expansion of NYSC orientation camps.
The House further mandated the Committees on Youth Development and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance and report within four weeks for further legislative action.
