By IHECHINYERE CHIGEMERI-UWOM

Abia Government has announced a 1,150 per cent increase in the monthly allowance of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Government’s gesture raises the allowance from N4,000 to between N20,000 and N50,000.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Njoku Ukoha, disclosed this in a statement issued in Umuahia and made available to newsmen on Friday.

Njoku stated that the new structure introduced a N20,000 base allowance for all corps members serving in the state.

He explained that those posted to State Government’s establishments would receive additional N10,000 monthly, making theirs N30,000.

He added that teaching and medical corps members would get N30,000 more as special incentives.

He described the gesture as a demonstration of the State Government’s commitment to youth empowerment and human capital development.

Ukoha noted that the Otti-led administration was determined to make life easier for corps members serving in the state.

He recalled that the government had earlier renovated the NYSC Orientation Camp in Umuna, Bende Local Government Area.

He stated that the renovation included internal road repairs, power installations, and refurbishment of camp buildings.

He also stated that the governor believed that every institution in Abia, whether federal or state-owned, deserved attention.

Ukoha added that corps members have contributed significantly to Abia’s development, especially in education, medicine, and engineering.

He explained that the review underscored the government’s continued support for corps members serving in the state.

He cited the case of Mr Benson Ojeikere, who did his NYSC in the state, retained and rose to become Abia’s current Head of Service.

Ukoha also recalled that the governor recently approved the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers.

He stated that the policy was extended to Local Government health personnel to ensure parity with federal workers.

He noted that the government allocated a cumulative 35 per cent of this year’s budget to health and education sectors.

He explained that the wage adjustments aimed to build institutional capacity and strengthen the public service infrastructure.

He added that the administration’s vision was to build world-class institutions for sustainable development in Abia. (NAN)