The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has suspended the deployment of corps members to Cross River State over the deteriorating condition of its Orientation Camp in Obubra.
Findings revealed that the poor state of the camp facilities has already significantly reduced the number of corps members serving in the state, with more than 700 reportedly processing relocation to other states.
The camp, which previously accommodated about 2,500 corps members per stream, currently hosts just over 1,000.
Cross River State is expected to receive about 6,000 corps members annually, but the number deployed to the state has reportedly dropped to just over 1,000 in recent years.
Sources within the scheme said the decision followed a recent inspection of the camp by the NYSC Director-General, who reportedly found that the facilities were old and no longer met national standards.
According to a source who requested anonymity, the suspension would take effect after the ongoing Batch C, Stream 1 orientation exercise.
“After going through the camp facilities, we discovered that the facilities are old, they are no longer meeting standards.
“So as a result of that, the Director-General said no more posting of corps members to Cross River State until further notice. In fact, he is even saying they need a brand new camp,” the source said.
The source added that corps members in Batch C, Stream 2 would no longer be deployed to the state, pending intervention by the state government.
“For now, after this stream, because we are in Batch C, Stream 1, Stream 2 will no longer come to the state. We are seeking state government intervention,” the source added.
The camp, formerly located at the site of the Government Science School, is reportedly more than 20 years old and has not undergone any major renovation, leaving several structures in a state of disrepair.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the NYSC State Secretariat and the scheme’s spokesperson in Cross River State, Mr Ogbang Ogbang, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The Cross River State Commissioner for Youth Development, ljom Ukam, had also not responded to the development.