Following the visit of the Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, Brig. General Mohammed Fadah, to the Gombe orientation camp, challenges of water, electricity, need to change mattresses at the temporary orientation camp, topped the list of demands made by the Gombe State Coordinator, Ada Imoni.
Fadah presented nine corps members with gifts for their commendable performances and also donated a cow to the batch.
Our correspondent reports that the DG was on a tour across orientation camps when he made a stop at the Amada camp, Akko Local Government Area of the state.
Fadah assessed the camp clinic, he was also examined by the corps medics before proceeding to the kitchen, where he expressed satisfaction with the menu and the hygiene of the area.
Speaking about the challenges faced in running the temporary orientation camp, Imoni lamented the high cost of buying water in tanks, adding that the increase in the cost of diesel had worsened the financial constraints.
She revealed that being a temporary camp, the cost of maintenance was on the surge, as appliances were fixed at various camp periods, adding that with the intervention of the DG, blocks of classrooms and kitchen blown off by storm were repaired.
Imoni said, “There is a regular supply of water despite the high cost of N15,000 per tanker occasioned by the high cost of diesel. The temporary nature of the camp makes it very difficult to plan at the beginning and close of the orientation exercise as facilities such as electric wiring, ceiling fans, and sockets are always installed and removed leading to deterioration and distortion.
“The camp depends solely on generator due to erratic power supply by the Jos Electricity Distribution Company. There is a need to replace mattresses due to the deteriorating state of the ones presently used on camp.”
She lauded the effort of the State Government for constructing a permanent site at Boltongo, Yalmatu Deba LGA, which was nearing completion.
“I wish to express my profound gratitude to Alhaji Muhammadu Yahaya for his ongoing effort to complete a befitting permanent orientation camp at Boltongo Yalmatu Deba Local Government Area. The Secretary to the State Government, who is the chairman of the project, while on a visit to the temporary camp, Amada, gave assurance that the 2022 batch C, would be hosted at the new camp. This is heartwarming considering the challenges we face here over the years,” Imoni said.
Fadah congratulated the corps for their discipline and assured them that their welfare was one of his cardinal programmes.
He warned against cult-related practices, stressing that they would not be accepted.
Fadah said, “Out of my five policy thrust, one is your welfare and your security, that is basically why I’m here. I have gone round, and I have assessed what is there, I will do more to make you comfortable.
“The scheme and the nation are against cultism, you should not get involved. There is zero tolerance to cultism and drugs.”
