The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the National Youth Service Corps’ (NYSC) alleged refusal to reopen its permanent orientation camp in Maiduguri, Borno.
The resolution came after the plenary unanimously approved a motion by Rep. Usman Zannah (APC-Borno) on Wednesday.
Previously, Zannah stated that the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Maiduguri was closed down about ten years ago as a result of Boko Haram terrorist attacks in parts of the state.
He recalled how the former Director-General of the NYSC, Mr Suleiman Kazaure, stated that the camp would reopen once the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) were relocated from the premises.
“Aware that the Borno State Government had relocated over 8,000 IDPs who had taken refuge in the NYSC orientation camp to government-provided houses in Auno.”
“Others were relocated to Bama and Danboa Local Government Areas; informed that Gov. Babagana Zulum wrote letters to the Director-General of NYSC requesting the reopening of the camp, but without success.”
“In addition, the Borno State Government has made adequate arrangements to ensure the safety and well-being of corps members stationed in the state.”
“Worried that corps members posted to Borno would have to travel to Kastina State to undergo orientation at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Training School, Kastina, despite the North West’s state of insecurity.”
“Also concerned that the high rate of insecurity in Kastina State may affect Corp members’ psychology and expose them to the risk of being attacked by bandits while traveling to Kastina,” he said.
According to the lawmaker, the state of insecurity in Kastina State has already posed a threat to lives and property, necessitating the shutdown of telecommunication services, making communication extremely difficult.
Rep. Ahmed Wase, Deputy Speaker of the House, mandated the Committee on Youth Development to investigate the alleged refusal of the NYSC to reopen the camp in his ruling.