Wole Adedeji, Ilorin
Kwara State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs. Esther Ikupolati, has urged the Federal Government to build perimeter fencing round it’s Orientation Camp in the state.
The Kwara State NYSC camp, located in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area of the state is not far from a big River that later discharges into River Niger where a corps member reportedly drowned a few years back.
Also, there had been reported cases of burglars breaking into the camp and carting away belongings of innocent members of NYSC while the authorities had been reportedly somewhat helpless, according to The Nigerian Xpress sources.
However, Mrs. Ikupolati, in an interview with journalists, expressed worries over the porous nature of the orientation camp, making it susceptible to thieves and vandals.
READ ALSO: Bayelsa govt. launches e-governance scheme, SIFMIS
She disclosed to newsmen thieves broke into hostels in the camp a few days to the commencement of orientation course and carted away mattresses and beds.
She stressed that having perimeter fence round the orientation camp would secure the camp against intruders, adding that living the camp porous poses danger to Corps members and camp officials.
“I want to appeal specially to the Federal Government to please construct perimeter fence round the Orientation camp to make it secure.
“I know it is not above the federal government, if the federal government determines to give Kwara State Orientation a camp a fence, I know they can do it.
“The Command and Staff College in Jaji is bigger than this place and it was fenced within three months, which is why I said the federal government can do it.
“I am not talking of doing it in stages; they can do it at once. I want them to come to the aid of the State Government or to work hand in hand with the state government by way of provision of funds to the state government to do it,” Ikupolati added.
She was of the view that perimeter fencing of the camp remained the only condition that can guarantee the security of lives and properties in the camp.
Mrs. Ikupolati declared that welfare of corps members remained her priority during the orientation course and at their various places of primary assignments.
She therefore called on Corps members employers to also accord top priority to the welfare of corps members serving in their establishments.
READ ALSO: Court sacks Sen. Nwaoboshi
The NYSC Kwara State coordinator also appealed to the State Government to pay the local allowance to Corps members as promised by the Governor last year.
She continued, “The state government promised the corps members of Batch B Stream II camp last year promised to pay the local allowance, but up to this time, they have not started paying.
“I know the state government can do it because they promised the Corps members and I know they will do it.
“I am only reminding the state government of the promise it made regarding the payment. I am sure they have forgotten; I am reminding them to please redeem their pledge to the corps members,” she said.
