• NYSC explains delay; Acct-General Office mum

 

Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are grumbling over the failure of the federal government to implement the payment of their N77, 000 monthly allowance approved last year.

The approval for the increase of the allowance from N33,000 to N77,000 was contained in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated September 25 2024 and signed by the Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, in line with the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.

The government had, at that time, said the increase in the corps members allowance was with effect from July 2024.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Yushau Ahmed, on January 30, this year, announced that corps members would begin to receive ₦77,000 as their monthly allowance from February 2025.

However, corps members, who spoke to Daily Trust at the weekend, complained that they still received N33,000 as allowance in February.

They described the N33, 000 allowance as insufficient for their basic needs, in lieu of the high cost of living in the country.

NYSC reacts

When contacted, the NYSC said modalities for the payment of the N77,000 allowance had been concluded.

The NYSC, however, said it was waiting for cash backing before paying the new allowance to corps members.

The Acting Director, Information and Public Relations Department at the NYSC, Caroline Embu, who spoke to Daily Trust, said, “As soon as NYSC gets it (cash backing), we will start paying. We don’t know when.”

Accountant-General Office mum

When contacted on the telephone yesterday, the Director of Press at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation,  Bawa Mokwa, promised to return with further details on the issue, but did not do so as of the time of filing this report.

Corp members speak

Chinonso Udeh, who is a serving corps member in Lapai, Niger State, said that he is currently struggling to cater for his daily needs as NYSC has continued to default in its promise to implement the new N77,000 allowance.

“It hurts that NYSC has not paid us our new money. We have been dreaming of that money because it will help us a long way. All of us are just angry with the situation,” he said.

Chukuwuzulum Okechukwu, who is serving in Kuje, Abuja, said: “My prayer is that I should even enjoy the money before I pass out in June. They made us have long throat and now we can’t see the money. They even assured us since that they will pay but everyday, excuses and it’s not funny,”

A corps member at Orozo, Abuja, Olugbenga Adeyemi, said: “We have lots of expenses and the economy is not funny. So we are seriously dreaming of the N77, 000. Let them pay us and let’s start enjoying it before we leave service.”

In the same vein, Sunday Sado who is serving in Lagos, said: “NYSC promised that February is the date they gave us that the payment will kick off so we are waiting for February allowance to see if it is the new amount that will reflect but disappointed.”

Ibrahim Jimoh, who is serving in Sokoto, he said: “The federal government has not started paying N77,000 and they are still paying N33,000.”

Also, Simi Aremu, serving in Akwa Ibom, said: “We were assured when we just entered camp this January that we will be earning our 77k soon. We don’t know when soon is. Those who have been here since the announcement of N77, 000 haven’t received anything, we don’t know what’s happening.”

Similarly, Isah Gidado, a corps member in Enugu State, said: “We are the freshest corps members and we are hoping that they start paying the N77,000 soon so that I will enjoy the money for a long time. The economy is tough and we need more money to take care of ourself rather than depend on our family.

Mohammed Jamilu Mohammed who is serving in Osun State, decried: “I am really not happy about the way they are toying with us. Although they said February, so we’re waiting and hoping. I have six months to go, so I want to enjoy the money very well before I go. Let them pay,”

Peter Osaro, serving in Katsina State, stated: “We would really appreciate the new increment, we are far from our family so we need enough for upkeep. We were so excited when we heard the news of the increment, but we haven’t seen anything. I am not so disappointed because even the civil servants have not been paid the 70k salary,”

Choyong Kenneth, a corps member in Bayelsa, said: “I was so excited to go for service because of the announcement of the N77,000 so I am hoping we will started receiving it from this February since the older corps members said they were expecting it from this month,”