Ex-militants Meet In Bayelsa, Say Amnesty Deadline Not Feasible

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.”