The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the continued closure of the orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Consequently, the House mandated its Committee on Youth Development to “investigate the refusal of the NYSC to reopen the permanent orientation camp in Maiduguri despite the peace in the state.”
The resolution followed the unanimous adoption of a motion moved by a member, Usman Zannah at the plenary on Wednesday, titled ‘Need to Reopen the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp, Maiduguri.’
Zannah noted that for “over 10 years, the NYSC’s permanent orientation camp in Maiduguri was shut down following killings by the Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The lawmaker also recalled that the past Director-General of the NYSC, Suleiman Kazaure, said the camp would be reopened as soon as the Internally Displaced Persons were relocated from the premises.
He said the Borno State Government had relocated over 8, 000 IDPs taking refuge in the camp to houses provided by the government at Auno, while others were relocated to Bama and Damboa Local Government Areas.
He stressed that the Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum, wrote letters to the current DG of NYSC to reopen the camp “but to no avail,” adding that the government has made adequate arrangements to ensure the safety of and wellbeing of corps members posted to the state.
Zannah said, “The House is worried that corps members posted to Borno State would have to travel to Katsina State to undergo orientation at the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Training School, Kastina, despite the state of insecurity in the entire North-West.
“The House is also worried that the high rate of insecurity in Katsina State is capable of affecting corp members’ psychology and exposes them to the danger of being attacked by bandits while travelling to Katsina.
“The House is 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.”
Copyright PUNCH.
