The House of Representatives committee on youths and development, on Monday, called for improved facilities at the NYSC orientation camp in Niger.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Martins Esin (PDP- Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko), made the call when he and members of the committee conducted oversight on the NYSC camp.

He said the committee had established contact with Gov. Umaru Bago, and the latter had promised that intervention would be carried out at the camp from January 2024.

“We have gone round the camp; we inspected the male and female hostels and the clinic; there is a need for improvement in the camp’s facilities.

“The male hostel needs more beddings; the corps members are serving the country, and as such, we should make the environment conducive for them to give their best,’’ Esin said.

The committee chairman added that the National Assembly was interested in the well-being of the NYSC, considering the scheme’s objective of fostering national unity and integration.

He said the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas (APC-Zaria) and the committee’s leadership had resolved to oversee the activities of the NYSC and offer support for optimal performance.

Mr Esin advised corps members to be security-conscious since they had become soft targets for criminals and enemies of the country.

Earlier, Olayinka Abdulwahab, NYSC coordinator in Niger, said 1,495 corps members posted to Niger and those redeployed from FCT were registered for the 2023 Batch C, Stream 1 orientation course in Niger.

She said the corps members had displayed a high sense of discipline, adding that there was adequate security at the orientation camp.

Mrs Abdulwahab noted, however, that the orientation camp had challenges of shortage of camp facilities, erosion control and inadequate boreholes for water supply.

(NAN)