The Presidential Amnesty Programme Cooperative Society Limited (PACOSOL) on Saturday began disbursing the second tranche of loan to ex-agitators in the Niger Delta.

The interim administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), retired Maj-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, said the disbursement was in fulfilment of the promise made by PAP that more people would be captured in the scheme.

Mr Ndiomu was represented by his special assistant on special duties, Thomas Peretu, at the event held in Warri, Delta.

He explained that with the commencement of the exercise, the number of entrepreneurs being created by the PAP would increase. Mr Ndiomu added that the scheme would help to create more jobs and reduce poverty in the Niger Delta.

PACOSOL management consultant Zigha Ayibakuro said Mr Ndiomu expressed optimism that the beneficiaries would use the loan well.

He disclosed that the scheme was running simultaneously with the other empowerment training programmes and initiatives of the PAP.

“This loan is just one aspect of the entire programme that will give the beneficiaries a sustainable means of livelihood and also for them to become employers of labour.

“Don’t forget that other initiatives are also ongoing. The scholarship programme, the vocational and aviation training. These are deliberate efforts to change the story of people of the region,” he said.

In his remarks, the chairman of the PACOSOL Management Board, retired Justice Francis Tabai, who spoke through a member of the board, Emmanuel Salubi, said the scheme was designed to discourage the over-dependence on the monthly N65,000 stipend.

“The N65,000 monthly stipend is not enough to sustain them and their family.

“And so this is the best thing for them. To embrace entrepreneurship so that they can make more money for themselves and contribute to the GDP of the region and country,” he said.

Also speaking in his capacity as the management consultant of PACOSOL, Zigha Ayibakuro, commended beneficiaries of the first batch for making judicious use of the loan.

“We are looking at least impacting 300 to 500 ex-agitators in this new batch, and we have commenced in Delta State,” Mr Ayibakuro said.

Addressing the beneficiaries, Mr Ayibakuro urged them to surpass the achievement of the first batch by ensuring they put to proper use what they had received to pave the way for others.

(NAN)