26th September, 2016
The Paramount Ruler of Calabar Municipality, HRH, Patrick Oqua-Igbor V, has called on Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River to review the allowances of corps members serving in the state.
Oqua-Igbor, made the call on Monday in Calabar, when the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Ifeoma Anidobi, and some members serving in the Calabar Municipality paid him a courtesy visit.
He said that in view of the present economic situation, there was need for an upward review of the allowances of corps members in the state.
He said the corps members, over the years, have contributed greatly to the economic development of the state by serving in critical areas of human and social development.
“Over the years, the NYSC scheme had contributed immensely in the social-economic development of the country. The scheme had offered young Nigerians the opportunity to serve their country in different sectors.
“With the present economic challenges in the country, I am advocating for an upward review of the allowances of corps members in the state.
“I wish to also appeal to state government for a massive construction of corps members lodges across the 18 local government areas of the state, to ease accommodation challenges,” he said.
The Paramount Ruler advised the corps members to always identify with their host communities by initiating projects that would be beneficial to the people.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that corps members serving under the state government are currently receiving N3, 000 as monthly allowance.
Earlier, Anidobi, the State Coordinator of NYSC, said she was in the palace of the paramount ruler to thank him for maintaining a peaceful environment for corps members serving in Calabar Municipality.
According to her, Calabar Municipality hosts the largest number of corps members in the state.
She said it was important to identify with the palace of the paramount ruler for a peaceful co-existence between it and the NYSC.