Relocates corps members temporarily to Akamkpa
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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Succour has finally come for corps members posted to Cross River State as the state government has ordered the immediate shutdown of the dilapidated Permanent Orientation Camp in Obubra for comprehensive renovation.
The government has consequently approved the temporary relocation of the camp to the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa, to ensure orientation exercises are not disrupted.
The approval, which was given by Governor Bassey Otu, was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Anthony Enoh.
For years, the Obubra camp has been in the eye of the storm over decrepit hostels, poor water supply, bad toilets and overstretched facilities, a situation which recently forced the NYSC national leadership to threaten to stop posting corps members to the state.
Findings revealed that the camp, which formerly housed the Government Science School, Obubra, has not witnessed major renovation in over 20 years, reducing its capacity from 2,500 corps members per stream to just over 1,000.
The situation became so bad that over 700 corps members posted to the state during the last orientation reportedly processed relocation to other states.
But the state government has now moved to salvage the situation, describing the renovation as urgent and necessary to meet modern standards.
“The Obubra camp, which has served the NYSC Scheme over the years, has become overstretched and requires urgent intervention to meet modern standards and to provide a more conducive, safe and befitting environment for Corps Members,” the SSG stated.
He emphasised that the relocation is strictly temporary and that the camp will return to Obubra upon completion of works.
According to him, the University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa, has been assessed and found to have adequate facilities including hostels, water, electricity, parade ground and robust security architecture to host a hitch-free exercise.