It has been reported that the Nigerian federal government has released an additional sum of N30 billion to the amnesty programme in the Niger Delta region.
According to The Cable, this was announced in a statement issued by Laolu Akande, the senior special assistant to the vice president on media and publicity
The statement said that the additional funding was to help sustain the new understanding between the federal government and the oil producing communities in the region.
The fund will also help in “the rehabilitation and reintegration of the ex-militants”, while the government plans to release another N5 billion at a later date.
The statement said in part: “Currently the amnesty office has now paid up all ex-militants backlog of their stipends up to the end of 2016.
“The release of the additional funds is coming after presidential level interactive engagements in the Niger Delta, where the Buhari administration has enunciated a new vision for the oil-producing areas based on the presentation made by the pan Niger Delta forum (PANDEF) to the president when he received leaders and stakeholders from the region last November.
“Subsequently, the president asked his deputy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to embark on a tour of the region that saw him visiting several oil-producing States in the country.
“Besides the monthly payment of about N65, 000 to N66,000 to the ex-militants, the funds would also go to the provision of reintegration activities under the amnesty programme including payment of tuition fees for beneficiaries from Niger Delta who are in post-secondary institutions at home and abroad, payment of in-training & hazard allowances and vocational training costs.”
In addition, Akande said there are also empowerment schemes and self-help/self-employment support funds “including provision of needed equipments by the amnesty office.”
“Equally, the funds would also support the training of pilots, aviation engineers, technicians, and motor vehicles mechanics from the oil-producing communities,” he concluded.
The statement also reassured the Niger Delta communities of President Buhari’s “unalloyed commitment to a faithful implementation of its promises made during the visits to different oil-producing communities.”
This was also disclosed in a statement signed by Laolu Akande on Friday, May 5. According to the presidency, the decision is in line with the demands made by major stakeholders in the region and also part of the Niger Delta New Vision of Buhari’s administration.
