CORPS MOBILIZATION: SENATE COMMITTEE HARPS ON NEED FOR ADEQUATE BUDGETARY PROVISIONS
The Senate Committee on Youth and Sports Development has stressed the need for adequate budgetary provisions to enable the National Youth Service Corps mobilize all eligible graduates for national service.
This was part of submissions made today when the committee interacted with the NYSC Management during a familiarisation visit to the Scheme's Headquarters in Abuja.
The committee noted that leaving graduates to wait longer than necessary before being mobilized could be frustrating and could have unpleasant consequences.
It, therefore, expressed readiness to support the Scheme towards avoiding a recurrence of the challenges being experienced as a result of budgetary constraint.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Obinna Ogba said the purpose of the visit was to assess the state of affairs in the Scheme, especially the level of implementation of the 2016 budget as well as the shortfall and constraints being faced.
Senator Ogba said the meeting was also aimed at gaining an insight into the Scheme's budget plans for the 2017 fiscal year, adding that the committee was interested in identifying areas that needed its intervention in case of challenges.
Speaking, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Suleman Kazaure, briefed the committee on the level of preparations for the 2016 Batch 'B' Orientation course, the constraint being faced and the strategies being adopted towards ensuring a hitch-free exercise.
The during the interaction, the committee and the Management discussed the preparation for the 2016 Batch 'B' Orientation course; especially with regards to budgetary provisions as well as the failure of some state governments to discharge their statutory obligations to the Scheme amongst other issues.
The committee commended the NYSC Management for working as a team and indicated its readiness to assist in addressing challenges discussed at the meeting.
Members of the committee present at the meeting were Senator Shaaba Lafiagi and Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
PHOTO: From right: The Director-General; Brig Gen SZ Kazaure, Chairman of the Committee on Youth and Sports Development; Senator Obinna Ogba, Senator Shaaba Lafiagi and Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.