By Oghenemaro Eruteyan

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National Youth Corps Members in Ondo State have lamented that their monthly allowance can no longer cater for their needs amidst the current economic hardship in the country, occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal by the federal government.

The federal government pays each Corps member N33,000  as a monthly stipend. 

In separate interviews with The Hope, the Corps members said the increment was needed to cope with increased transportation, food items and other logistics.

They also demanded that their employers pay them monthly stipends to support their  expenses.

One of the Corps members, Ehiage, said, “The 33k is nothing as I only manage to survive by God’s grace.

“My Alawee finishes in a week, spending over 20k on feeding and N1,500 to and from my Primary Place of Assignment (PPA) daily due to the increment in prices of everything! Yet, there is no assistance from my employer, and I work four times a week.”

Another Corps member, Michael, expressed dissatisfaction that “the Alawee is insufficient considering the high cost of transportation, clothing and feeding. Although, my employer is assisting, spending a thousand naira and more on transportation and working four times a week needs a higher income.”

To Faramola, “The monthly allowance is little as it is exhausted quickly. Although, my employer doesn’t pay me monthly, she assists with my transportation fare as I work four times weekly.”

Other Corps members such as Funmilayo, Cynthia, Divine, and Franstel also lamented the inadequacy of the monthly stipend to cater for their needs amidst  economic crisis occasioned by fuel subsidy removal,

They demanded that their employers be merciful to pay additional monthly stipends to augment what the federal government gives them.