Ex-militants to protest over suspended Amnesty Programme
Ex-militants are considering staging a protest over the suspension of the third phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, group leader John Ebi said on Tuesday.
Mr. Ebi who spoke on a radio programme in Yenagoa bemoaned the abrupt stoppage of the programmes. He said beneficiaries of the training, empowerment and reintegration programme are now left in limbo due to the non-payment of verified programme contractors since last November.
Mr. Ebi said speculations were rife about plans to scrap or wind down the amnesty programme without fully reintegrating the 30,000 beneficiaries and that the development had caused apprehension amongst the ex-militants.
Chairman of amnesty vendors forum, Samson Graham, confirmed that the Amnesty office suspended payment of contractors since November 2019.
He said the contractors could not continue the training and empowerment schemes without payment.
Mr. Graham appealed to the presidency to facilitate the payment of verified contractors to enable them to return to the various training centres to continue their jobs.
A source at the presidential amnesty office who spoke under anonymity stated that the delay in payment was due to ongoing audit of activities of the previous administration headed by former coordinator, Charles Dokubo
President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Mr. Dokubo in February and announced his sacking on August 26.
The president consequently announced the appointment of Milland Dikio as interim coordinator.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Heading 2
Jigawa establishes 135 learning spaces for out-of-school children
He said that 270 facilitators and 20 supervisors had been engaged to provide learning opportunities for children.
Economy
Lagos: Eti-Osa council awards N50 million business grants to 150 residents
Ms Adetoro said the beneficiaries included traders, artisans, small business owners, women, youths and vulnerable residents.
Heading 3
Tinubu awards $7 billion Ogun deep seaport deal to Chagoury-linked DP World MEA
“We are doing more than signing agreements; we are laying the foundation for a new chapter in Nigeria’s development,” Mr Tinubu said.
Africa
Ethiopia, Djibouti presidents commend Dangote’s $660 million pipeline project as game-changer for regional trade, energy security
The Damarjog-Dewele Pipeline Project forms part of Dangote Group’s broader Vision 2030 strategy, under which it plans to invest $50 billion across Africa.
Politics
Atiku announces ex-Tinubu ally Kashim Imam as campaign chairman, El-rufai deputy, Senator Akobundu DG
Mr Abubakar also appointed Dele Momodu to head media and communications, while Dino Melaye will lead contact and mobilisation.
NationWide
EFCC recovers N80 million for businessman after failed land deal in Delta
The EFCC handed over a draft of recovered N80,000,000 to Ifeanyi Innocent Madueke after a failed land deal in Delta State.
