FCTA withholds payment of allowances to Abuja youth corpers

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the oversight of Nyesom Wike, is reportedly withholding payment of allowances to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Abuja.

According to a source, FCTA is delaying payment to Corpers serving in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), amidst complaints and petitions.

Following a complaint filed in February 2024, the administration promised to start payment immediately.

Despite the promises, nonetheless, no payment has been received.

Collections of details from old and new corps members were documented and forwarded to the appropriate bodies.

In the meantime, however, no replies have been received.

Some of the corpers serving under FCTA reportedly come to work from far distance to least three times in a week.

According to some of them interviewed, the thirty-three thousand Naira NYSC allowance does not, as little as, cover transportation and feeding in a given month.

This, they said, is due to the expensive transportation and high cost of living in the country.

What does NYSC administration say?

NYSC administration, in a letter posted on its website, stated clearly in paragraphs 3 and 4 of the policy guidelines:

3. Provide corps members with a modest accommodation or at least reasonable allowance per month in lieu.
4. Provide transport for the corps members to and from the place of work or reasonable amount per month in lieu.

Some corps members confirmed to Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) that no payments have been received from FCTA for several months.

How do corps members react?

Taking to their “X”, former Twitter, handles, some corps members lamented as follows:

@kizlykay

“It’s crazy how I’m just realizing that since I started serving under FCTA, I’ve not gotten paid & I’ve been posted there since September.

“Please am I the only one experiencing this?” (sic)

@EnekMoses commented:

“Lol… not only you sister although I was told from the great vines sha before my posting was official not to expect my salary pay from them since I started serving there October.

“I only got paid once in (Jan). I have removed my mind and effort off that place.”

@Sasjabari2714 remarked:

“NYSC corp members under the @OfficialFCTA, are not receiving payment for the services they’ve rendered.

“This situation undermines our efforts and goes against the principles of fair compensation for work done.

“It’s important for authorities to address this issue promptly….”

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