The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to construct new National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps and rehabilitate existing ones to ease the burden on current facilities.
This call was made during plenary session on Thursday, May 8, following a motion presented by Mr Garba Muhmmad.
While moving the motion, Muhmmad said the NYSC annually trains thousands of graduates for three weeks, equipping them with essential skills for their service year. He expressed concern over the poor condition of orientation camps nationwide.
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,” he added.
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Muhmmad also noted that corps members often travel long distances for camping due to limited space in their assigned states.
He stressed the need for spacious and habitable orientation camps that can each accommodate at least 5,000 corps members and be equipped with modern facilities to enhance training and life skills development.
Following a voice vote, lawmakers unanimously backed the motion. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the session, affirmed its adoption.
The House then urged the Federal Government to partner with state governments in constructing new camps and upgrading existing ones.
It also tasked the Federal Ministry of Youth to collaborate with stakeholders to work out the details of the proposed expansion.
Additionally, the Committees on Youth Development and Legislative Compliance were mandated to monitor implementation and report back within four weeks.