PPA is an acronym that stands for a Place of Primary Assignment.
This is where Corps Members are expected to render selfless services with dedication for a year of active service to their country.
PPA is the second stage of your NYSC service year after your three weeks orientation course in camp.
The orientation camp is the main part of NYSC. You will realize this after camp. You will get to understand that the camp was just the best and most fun part of the whole NYSC program.
At your PPA, you are expected to be vigilant, interact and learn from the locals with humility and as well make a lasting positive impact on those that will come across your way.
Activities in your Place of Primary Assignment are divided into two:
1. What the employers need to do for Corps Members.
a. The employer must provide accommodation for the Corp Member containing a chair table and bed or give money to the Corp Member to rent an apartment.
b. The employer also must give the Corp Member transportation fare if the house provided is too far from the place of work.
c. The employer must also keep the Corp Member busy, not just accepting him/her and allowing them to sit down from morning till afternoon/evening. This does not mean that the Corps Members should be overworked.
d. The employer must give a clearance form to the Corps Member every month without which the Corps Member cannot thumbprint for the month. Remember that if you don’t thumbprint, you will not receive your allowance for the month.
e. the employer must relieve the Corps Member of all duties on his/her CDS days.
2. What the Corps Members need to do at their PPA.
a. Corps Members will be assigned to each local government. They will register with the Local Government Inspector (LGI). After which you will head to schools, ministry, local government, or any company as contained in your posting letter.
b. Corps Members need to write an application letter to travel through the employer/LGI to the state coordinator before travelling and must be signed & granted.
c. Corps Members have no right to dictate or beg the employer to give him/her a letter of rejection.
d. Corps Members have the right to collect all his/her entitlement (like accommodation, transportation, etc.) from the employer before starting work.
e. Corps Members must sign clearance between the 1st to 10th of every month from the LGI. Any late signing from the 11th will attract an extension of the service year.
f. Corps Members are entitled to collect 12 calendar months ALLAWEE.
If you are rejected in your PPA, you don’t need to worry much about it, it is an opportunity for you to choose a PPA of your choice even though it must be in the same local government.
Once rejected, look around for other PPAs and take your letter of rejection to the secretariat.
Submit it to the local government inspector or the Corpers Liaison Officer (CLO), he will ask if you have any PPA in mind, if you don’t, you will be posted to another PPA by him. If you are accepted, you still need to visit the secretariat for documentation.
While at your PPA, you are expected to have the same right every other staff member has. Therefore, when you are treated equally with other staff do not complain. Signing in and out time is not different for you as a Corps Member.
As a graduate, you are expected to bring in so many great ideas that will improve the services of your firm. If it is a school, you are expected to pass on great values to the students as most Secondary School Students see Corps Members as role models.
You must be humble to your employer because he/she is the key to your monthly allowance. If your employer gives a negative report about you, you will not be cleared. If not managed properly, it may lead to service extension.
If you are on your right, and your employer is giving you issues, you can report to the local government inspector and if he cannot manage the situation, he will get the zonal inspector involved. You are very important to NYSC, and they will be solidly behind you if you are always in your best behaviour.
Frequently asked questions about PPA:
1. Is it my Responsibility to seek for a PPA by Myself?
No, your PPA will be assigned to you by NYSC at the end of the orientation course in camp. You can seek PPA yourself if you are rejected by your PPA.
2. What are the Possible Places of Primary Assignment in the NYSC Scheme?
There are several places you can be posted to. Namely: schools, hospitals, local governments, government ministries, and parastatals, etc. You can even be posted to private firms and banks on special occasions.
3. Why Would a PPA Reject me?
There are some reasons a PPA can reject you. They might have more Corps Members already, they may need a Corps Member but not the one with your area of specialization, etc.
4. What is the Benefit of Getting Rejected?
Apart from the sadness that comes from being rejected, you are at liberty to choose a PPA of your choice. If you are so lucky, you might be posted to the secretariat, this means less work for you.
5. Am I entitled to a Leave or Break at my PPA?
Yes. You are entitled to the following leave at your PPA:
- Marriage leave: i.e. if you are getting married.
- Convocation: you can go for your convocation while serving.
- Two weeks compulsory leave after camp to go home and bring your stuffs.
- And you also get a day every week for CDS activities.
In conclusion,
working at your PPA may be very strenuous but it is one of the cardinal points of NYSC so; to get your discharge certificate, you must pass this stage.
You must have heard that most employers don’t follow what is in the posting letter. Yes! Corps Members get to rent their apartments and transport themselves to work. The good news is that if they don’t give you stipends monthly, at the end of your stay with them, you will be appreciated no matter how small especially if you contributed immensely to the growth of the place while you are there.
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