The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have reassured Nigerians of the safety of the corps members who would be deployed for 2015 general elections.
The assurance was given at a briefing jointly addressed by the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Bamidele Olawumi, and the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, in Abuja on Friday.
Olawunmi said that no fewer than 168,000 corps members applied for ad hoc job of which 34,000 had passed out with the `Batch A’ in February.
He said that the scheme, in collaboration with INEC and security agencies, had put in place measures to ensure the safety of corps members who would be participating in the elections.
Some of the measures, according to the NYSC boss, are that the scheme have discussed with security agencies and community leaders the need to ensure the safety of the corps members before, during and after the polls.
Olawumi said that the scheme had also compiled all the contact details of all security agencies and distress call centres and made them available to corps members in case of any emergencies.
“I want to use this opportunity to reassure our corps members nationwide and their parents that their security is paramount to us, from this moment until when the last corps member will return to his or her home.
“We are going to work round the clock monitoring them, to ensure that they all return safely,’’ Olawumi said.
He, however, urged politicians to impress it on their followers the need to ensure the safety of all corps members.
The director-general also gave assurance on the welfare of the corps members participating in the elections including payment of their allowances.
“As at Monday, INEC has disbursed to all our states accounts, the allowances of corps members who would take part in the elections,’’ the director-general said.
He said that the NYSC secretariat had disbursed 50 per cent advance payment of the election allowances to corps members .
“I also want to say that as at yesterday, the corps members had been paid their March Federal Government allowances.’’
Olawumi, therefore, urged participating corps members to handle the critical assignment given to them with a high sense of patriotism, integrity, diligence and responsibility.
He, however, warned that the commission would not fail to sanction any corps member found wanting in the discharge of his/her duties.
On his part, Jega said that the 2011election crisis necessitated the provision of adequate security and protection for the corps members.
He explained that the commission had also insured all electoral officers including the ad hoc members of staff participating in the election.
“We are working with the NYSC scheme to ensure full implementation of our security and welfare plans,’’ Jega said.
Asked if eligible voters would be subjected to screening on election days in view of the security challenges in the country, he said that the commission would welcome any measures security agencies deemed fit to ensure safety.
Jega said that two of the commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioners had already reported that the Police Commissioners in their states would subject people to metal screening before allowing them access to polling units.
The chairman expressed the hope that the result of the presidential election would be announced within 48 hours.
