By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives on Wednesday asked National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to reopen its permanent orientation camp in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The House said despite the peace in the state, the NYSC has refused to reopen the camp and mandated its Committee on Youth Development to investigate the situation.
The House also mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation.
The House resolutions followed the adoption of a motion on the “Need to Reopen the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp, Maiduguri,” moved by Hon. Usman Zannah.
“Note that for over 10 years, the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Maiduguri was shut down following killings by the Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
“Also note that the past Director-General of the NYSC, Mr Suleiman Kazaure, said the camp would be reopened as soon as the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) occasioned by the Boko Haram attacks, were relocated from the premises”
The House said it was aware that the Borno State Government had relocated over 8, 000 IDPs taking refuge in the NYSC orientation camp to houses provided by the government at Auno, while others were relocated to Bama and Danboa Local Government Areas.
“Informed that the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, wrote letters to the Director General of NYSC to reopen the camp to no avail”
It said the Borno State Government has made adequate arrangements to ensure the safety of the and well-being of Corp members posted to the State.
The House worried that corps members posted to Borno State would have to travel to Katsina State to undergo orientation at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Training School, Kastina, despite the state of insecurity in the entire North West.
It also worried that the high rate of insecurity in Katsina State is capable of affecting corps members’ psychology and expose them to the danger of being attacked by bandits while traveling to Kastina.
The House was disturbed that the state of insecurity in Katsina State is already a threat to lives and property, which necessitated the shutting down of telecommunication services, hence making communication very difficult.
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