IN reaction to the viral pictures of ill-treatment of Corps members assigned to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as ad-hoc staff for the rescheduled 2019 elections, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) said this contravened the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with the electoral commission.
It said, although INEC had blamed this on logistics challenges, talks were ongoing with the commission to ensure that these and all other sundry issues bordering on the welfare and security of corps members were quickly addressed and redressed before the rescheduled elections.
The scheme in a statement issued and signed by the Director Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi on Tuesday in Abuja, stressed that in the build-up to the participation of corps members as ad-hoc electoral staff, the Director-General of the NYSC, Major General Suleiman Kazaure and members of Management had embarked on nationwide tour to meet with INEC State officials, heads of security agencies, community and opinion leaders to obtain assurances on the welfare and security of corps members before, during and after the elections.
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According to NYSC, during these meetings, INEC had assured that adequate arrangement for transport, accommodation, and security, especially at the Registration Area Centres (RACs) throughout the period has been made.
The statement partly reads: “The attention of NYSC Management has been drawn to uninspiring pictures and tales of woes experienced by many corps members assigned to INEC duties in several States across the country on the eve of the postponed general elections. These have been confirmed as authentic situation reports and have since been brought to the attention of INEC Management.
“While these incidents have been adduced to the logistic challenges which the INEC experienced, the NYSC wishes to note that the unpleasant occurrences are totally at variance with the spirit of our MoU with INEC.
“Therefore, we are currently engaged in discussion with INEC Management towards ensuring that these and all other sundry issues bordering on the welfare and security of corps members are quickly addressed and redressed before the rescheduled elections.
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“In these meetings, NYSC received full assurances on an adequate arrangement for transport, accommodation, and security, especially at the Registration Area Centres (RACs) throughout the period.”
To this end, it expressed hope that the INEC would ensure improved safety and welfare provisions for its corps members in the rescheduled elections.
It also assured that the safety, welfare, and remuneration shall be provided by INEC as agreed and in accordance with the spirit of the MoU.
“…..In this regard, INEC has assured Management that it has commenced payment of training and feeding allowances to the corps members nationwide, as well as the election duty allowances.
“Finally, the NYSC Management wishes to thank parents, individuals, groups and other stakeholders for the show of concern for the well-being of our corps members and to assure all Nigerians that our commitments to their welfare are unwavering,” it added
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