Ex-militants warn over delay in release of budgetary allocation for amnesty programme

Former militants in the Niger Delta region has again warned the Federal Ministry of Finance over the delay in the release of the budgetary allocations for the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

The ex-militants, in a statement in Yenegoa after a meeting, said the prompt release of funds from the ministry would pave way for the effective and efficient management of the programme.

The ex-agitators, under the auspices of the Leadership Peace and Cultural Initiative (LPCDI), noted that the timely release of the funds was very necessary to strengthen the ongoing efforts been made by the Federal Government to enthrone lasting peace in the region.

LPCDI, an umbrella body of over 90 per cent of the first phase leaders of the programme, in the press release signed and made available to newsmen by its National President, Reuben Wilson, said it was a unanimous decision taken by all members of the body.

The group acknowledged and appreciated the fact that the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is currently touring the region to foster peace and development, but maintained that the prompt release of the funds would go a long way in strengthening his achievements in this regard.

The statement noted that the delay in payments of stipends of beneficiaries of the programme would negate the current
efforts of the Federal Government in enthroning peace in the region, adding that the programme is a great contributor to the current peace prevailing in the region.