Abuja – The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says it is working toward placing corps members on a public service salary scale to stop frequent agitation for a review of their allowances.

Its Director-General, Brig. Gen. Johnson Olawumi, said this at a media chat on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that already, the scheme was collaborating with the National Salaries and Wages Commission to concretise the proposal.

Olawumi said that the scheme had made series of attempts at the National Assembly to secure an adjustment in the allowances of the corps members, adding that such attempts had been unsuccessful.

He said that the scheme had taken the matter before the wages commission for a solution, adding that the current N19, 800 monthly allowances for corps members was inadequate in view of the economic situation in the country.

The NYSC boss also announced the resuscitation of the Presidential Award to corps members who had excelled in their service to the nation, adding that the 2013 and 2014 editions would hold this year.

“It (award) was instituted in 1974 with the purpose of rewarding corps members that distinguished themselves through selfless service to their host communities.

“The 2012 and 2013 editions of the award will be hosted later in the year along with the 2014 edition and preparations are already in top gear in this regard.’’

On request for corps members’ relocation, Olawumi said that such requests were approved only on marital and health grounds.

“However, with the current security situation in some states of the country, the scheme applies the doctrine of necessity when corps members apply for relocation on security reasons.

“In such instances, the corps members get relocated automatically; but not to a state of their choice.’’

He, however, warned that the scheme had concluded arrangement to punish those corps members who presented fake health report to aid their relocation, adding that the drastic action would be applied to all those caught in the act to serve as a lesson to others.

Meanwhile, Olawumi said that more than 2.7 million graduates had passed through the scheme since its inception in 1975. (NAN)