The Zamfara government, on Thursday, said it had spent over N460 million in the ongoing renovation of the state’s National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.

The state commissioner of youths and sports development, Tasi’u Shinkafi, disclosed this in Gusau while declaring open a one-day workshop for NYSC corps member employers in the state.

The workshop’s theme was: “Evolving Strategies for Promoting a Healthy Work/Life Balance for Corps members — The role of employers.”

Mr Shinkafi noted that the ongoing camp renovation is part of the state government’s commitment to enhance the welfare and security of the corps members and the entire NYSC staff in the state

“The ongoing renovation has reached 40 per cent, the progress is being made in building additional structures in the camp.

“At the end of the renovation work, the camp will be one of the best orientation camps in the country,” the commissioner said.

According to him, the present administration in the state, under Governor Dauda Lawal, considers the NYSC scheme and corps members critical stakeholders in the development of the state.

“Since inception of the NYSC scheme, corps members have been contributing to the development of the country in various sectors of development.

“I believe this workshop will deliberate on ways forward for the proper solution towards achieving improved productivity of corps members,” he added.

Also speaking, the director of NYSC North West area office, Kaduna, Kehinde Aremu, urged employers to be aware of the challenges and pressure faced by the corps members.

Mr Aremu, represented by the deputy director, finance and accounts, NYSC North West area office, Igbudu Ugada, said corps members used to experience long working hours, unrealistic expectations and inadequate support system by their employers.

“It is imperative that the employers should provide an environment that promotes work and life balance,” he noted.

Earlier, the state NYSC coordinator, Abdulsalam Alhassan, urged the participants to utilise the workshop not only for encouraging the corps members but for the benefit of their organisations, the state and Nigeria in general.

“The theme of the workshop is timely and a welcome development considering the collaboration between productivity and motivation through essential adequate welfare for corps members,” Mr Alhassan said.

(NAN)