Ex-militant
leaders from the six states of the Niger Delta region, yesterday,
expressed concern over the December 2015 termination deadline set by the
Federal Government for the Amnesty Programme, saying that the date is
not feasible and should be extended.
The ex-Militant leaders, under the aegis of the Leadership, Peace and
Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI), said, though the performance
of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and
Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig. Gen. Paul Boroh, is, so
far, commendable, the proposed timeline is not feasible due to lingering
issues of non-payment of outstanding allowances and unfulfilled
promises by the Federal Government.
The National President of the Group, Gen. Reuben Wilson, known along
the Creeks as General Pastor, said, before the Federal Government can
decide on a termination date for the Amnesty proogramme, it should
consider the immediate release of the required funds for the payment of
outstanding tuition fees of Amnesty students in institutions of higher
learning and training centers in the country and abroad.
According to the group, “the Federal Government should release the
allocations to the Presidential Amnesty Office in order to pay the
beneficiaries their monthly stipends on time. The Presidential Amnesty
Programme should be extended beyond December 2015, earlier envisaged as
expiry date. The incentives promised the Ex-Generals and Leaders of the
various militant camps by Late President Yar’Adua in form of lifeline,
Security, Accommodation and mobility should also be fulfilled with
immediate effect.
“The Federal Government should pay, with immediate effect, the three
months outstanding payments for the Pipeline Surveillance contract
awarded to the Ex- agitators by the immediate past administration.
Government should also reconsider its termination of the Pipeline
surveillance contract and re-award it to the Ex-agitators for proper and
effective security of the pipelines. That the Federal Government should
expand the Presidential Amnesty Programme to include the Niger Delta
youths in the creeks, who are presently not included in the Presidential
Amnesty Programme.”
Source, image credit:
Guardian Newspaper
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