A coalition of the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) trainees has pleaded with the National Peace Council for swift intervention regarding their unpaid allowances.
The NABCO program, a government initiative aimed at addressing graduate unemployment, focuses on service delivery in health, education, agriculture, technology, governance, and revenue mobilization and collection.
Although the program was initially met with optimism from the public, it has faced significant setbacks over the years, including the inability to pay allowances to trainees.
A group of trainees whose contracts ended in 2021 has submitted a petition to the Peace Council, seeking assistance in retrieving the arrears owed to them by the government.
In their plea, the group highlighted the severe impact of the unpaid allowances on their livelihoods and those of their families.
The trainees said “Since 2021, NABCO trainees have faced significant challenges in receiving their allowances, despite numerous petitions to the Office of the President and relevant ministries”.
“Frustrated and exhausted, we are now prepared to hold a mega demonstration at the Jubilee House forecourt, just a week before the elections, if our arrears remain unsettled. This situation poses a serious threat to national security, and we believe your intervention is crucial to preventing potential unrest,” portion of the statement read.
They added that “as the Peace Council works tirelessly to ensure peace during this election period, we humbly request your engagement with the President to settle the NABCO arrears immediately. This prompt action will prevent the planned demonstration, maintain the country’s peaceful atmosphere, and address the trainees’ concerns.”