Slain corps members: Reps seek better compensation

The House of Representatives yesterday asked the Federal Government to workout better compensation to immortalise the memories of the 10 members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) killed during the post election violence in Bauchi State.

Members submitted that naming some streets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja after the slain NYSC members was not too much to honour them.
In one of the resolutions of the House, members flayed the compensation announced to the families of the slain NYSC members as too little and called for a more acceptable compensation.
The House equally urged governors of all the states of origin of the slain corps members to name prominent streets after them in their states.

Adopting a motion sponsored by Mr Dino Melaye, which was brought in under matters of urgent national importance, the lawmaker argued that N5million given to each of the families of the slain corps members was too meager and not sufficient to compensate their families. 

“I want this House to urge the Federal Government to reconsider the compensation of N5 million it gave to each of the families of the 10 NYSC members. I believe that adequate respect should be given to fallen heroes. To promote patriotism and selfless service to our fatherland, the Federal Government must be advised to increase this compensation.”
While Mr Friday Itulah cautioned that the motion ought to be deferred till the Sheikh Lemu-led Presidential Investigative Panel on the post election violence concluded its assignment and submits its report, Mr Leo Ogor, opposed the motion, saying the money was not meant for compensation.
He urged the House not to start a trend that would not be in the best interest of the nation and that the House should not be misled into believing that the N5million was meant for compensation.

However, the sitting almost became rowdy,  as two members of the House, Mr Ita Enang, Chairman, House Committee on Business and Rules and former House Leader, Abdul Ningi, now Chairman, House Committee on Police Affairs exchanged hot words on the floor over the issue.
Enang, while moving an amendment to the prayers of the motion has said the NYSC members from the states like Bauchi, Borno and Kaduna states, where NYSC members were killed should serve in their various states.
His suggestion implied that no NYSC member should be posted to those states from other states.
Ningi, who is from Bauchi State, sprang to his feet, saying: “What do you mean by that? What do you mean by that?” he shouted, pointing his finger menacingly at Ita Enang across the distance.

Ita Enang also shouted back at him, almost bringing the session to a temporary halt, until the Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, restored calm in the chamber when he persuaded Ita Enang to withdraw his amendment.
He also did no allow Mr Austin Nwachukwu to complete a motion he was moving. “I don’t understand how young men and women will be sent on national assignments only to return as corpses,” Nwachukwu had said.

-Sun

Short URL: http://newnigerianpolitics.com/?p=8505

Posted by admin on May 17 2011. Filed under Headlines, House, Legislature, NYSC (National Youth Service Corp). You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry