“This year alone, we have 177 graduates of the amnesty programme from the U.S. and 140 from the UK. By the end of this month, we would be going for the graduation in the UK; that of the U.S. has been on. The programme is on course; it helps greatly in stabilizing the situation in the Niger Delta region. I have also been working with the United Nations on efforts to rehabilitate former agitators from the region.”
The group, the Voice of Niger Delta Youths (VNDY) warned that they would return to the creeks if the Federal government fails to implement drastic changes to the programme that has successfully maintained relative peace in the region.
“As a public institution answerable to the public, the Office is obliged to give account of its activities. So in itself, there is nothing wrong with a probe. Also, a probe does not mean guilt; it is merely an inquiry to find out if any infraction has been committed. It is like a man under-going routine medical checkup which does not necessarily mean he is sick.”
The group, while noting that the confidence shown by President Buhari in the capability and performance of Boroh was as a result of loyalty, maintained that the president’s aide himself has exceeded the expectations of Niger Delta people.
He said, “Our duty is to ensure that there is constant peace in the region. The people in the region also have to be included in the peace drive. But we are starting with 200 ex-agitators. The sports initiative is one of the efforts our programme is making to maintain peace in the region. The other efforts are quick impact projects.”
Oscarline Onwuemenyi, with agency reports 07 June 2017, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The Liaison Officer, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Niger Delta Liaison…
He noted that, “To empower youth, therefore, means teaching them about their capacity to control their lives and change society by instilling in them a sense of value. That’s why this administration is empowering beneficiaries of the programme through a variety of activities that will focus on peace and confidence building.”
Besides the monthly payment of between N65, 000 and N66,000 to the former militants, the funds would also finance reintegration activities, including payment of tuition fees for Niger Delta students who are in post-secondary institutions at home and abroad, payment of in-training and hazard allowances and vocational training costs.
The Group is charged with the responsibility of working with State Governments, development partners, oil companies and other stakeholders which include PANDEF, to come up with a concerted plan, with timelines and personally responsible agencies or ministries to spearhead the development of the long neglected region.
He further said that oil-producing communities in the country, including Asa, would also benefit from the modular refineries being planned by the federal government to integrate local refineries.
