The House of Representatives is gearing up to discuss a bill aimed at establishing a reliable funding source for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), focusing on the training and empowerment of its members.
The proposed legislation, termed “The NYSC Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill 2024,” was introduced by the representative of Nasarawa/Toro Federal Constituency and was presented in the Green Chamber two weeks ago.
According to an exclusive copy of the bill obtained by The PUNCH, its primary goal is to create a legal framework for managing a special intervention fund dedicated to supporting NYSC skills acquisition, training, and empowerment initiatives.
Key Features of the Bill
Section 2(1) states that the Trust Fund will encompass all NYSC corps personnel, orientation camps, facilities, and overall operational efficiency. Once established, the fund will comprise 0.2% of the total revenue flowing into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as well as any grants and funds from the Federal Government or other sources. This includes contributions from international agencies, NGOs, and the private sector, along with investments generated by the Trust Fund.
Fund Utilization
Section 5(1) stipulates that the Trust Fund will aim to:
– Enhance skill acquisition and empowerment of corps members
– Meet training needs for NYSC personnel
– Improve overall performance and efficiency in the execution of constitutional duties.
Additional provisions include financing the procurement of educational materials and equipment and expanding existing NYSC initiatives while establishing new training programs for corps members.
Governance Structure
The bill proposes a Board of Trustees to oversee fund administration, which will include members from various governmental and private sectors, such as the NYSC National Governing Board, representatives from the Federal Ministries of Youth Development and Finance, and members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The board will be empowered to regulate the disbursement of funds, approve projects, and ensure compliance with legal and procedural requirements in the execution of contracts related to fund utilization.
Through this legislative effort, the NYSC Trust Fund aims to enhance the performance and effectiveness of corps members and the broader objectives of the NYSC program.
