The National Youth Service Corps has appealed to corps members to be patient as the Federal Government is working on paying the N70,000 allowance it promised in September.
This comes as some of the corps members said the delayed payment of the approved allowance was causing them hardship.
While announcing the increase in the NYSC allowance last month, the Federal Government said it would officially take effect from July 2024, in line with the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.
The new allowance was confirmed in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission on 25th September 2024, signed by its Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta.
However, some of the corps members expressed disappointment recently when they received their allowance credit alert of N33,000 instead of the approved N70,000.
Some of them, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH, said the N33,000 alert shattered the joy they initially felt when the NYSC announced the N70,000 allowance.
One of the corps, Habibah Oyedeji, said, “I was overjoyed when I heard the government was providing N70,000 to alleviate the country’s financial instability. However, my excitement was short-lived when I discovered they were instead offering N33,000, a significant reduction from the initial promise.
“I felt betrayed, cried all night, and was consumed by anger and disappointment. This development made me question our value as Nigerians.”
Another corps member, Zainab Saka, remarked, “Upon seeing the N33,000 credit alert, I had a sense of validation and assurance, reaffirming my initial belief that this government was heavily influenced by propaganda.”
“I was not actually surprised. This is Nigeria. I didn’t plan my life using government predictions. I planned my life according to my pocket,” said another corps member, Favour Sunday.
Mary Taiwo, who serves in Ogun State, said, “It’s heartbreaking, but I can’t kill myself. They might start paying from next month. Who knows?”
“I’m honestly disappointed in the Nigerian government. Why did Mr. President mention it when he knew he wouldn’t fulfill it? With the situation in Nigeria now, N33,000 is not enough to do anything. It’s very disheartening that the promise made was not fulfilled. I hope the government does what is needed,” said Opele Mariam, a corps member.
Reacting, the NYSC Director of Communication, Carol Embu, urged the corps members to be patient, noting that the Federal Government is working on the payment.
She said, “The scheme does not pay corps members. It’s the Federal Government. And I can’t say for sure when the payment will commence. It’s the decision of the government, not NYSC.
“One cannot expect the payment to start in October because government machinery doesn’t work like that. It took effect from the 29th of July, which is when the arrears will be paid.”