EX-Agitators Demand N150,000 Allowance

Ex-Niger Delta agitators under the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, have appealed to the Federal government to increase their monthly allowance from N65,000 a month to N150,000.
The agitators made the appeal in Warri, Delta State when the administrator of the programme, Dennis Otuaro, met with them.
They lamented the financial difficulties they were going through and said the current N65,000 stipend had become too meagre to meet their basic needs.
Gilbert Isobe, an ex-agitator from Bayelsa said, “When we started receiving the N65,000 in 2009, the money was sufficient, but after 15 years, it cannot take care of anything now.
“We, therefore, plead with the Federal Government to increase the budget of the Amnesty Programme so that the stipends can be increased to at least N150,000.”
In his address, Otuaro urged ex-agitators enrolled in the programme to avoid anything that is inimical to peace and security in the Niger Delta, which he said was the primary reason for setting up the PAP
The theme of the meeting was: “Fostering, Consolidating, and Collaborating for the Peace, Security, Stability, and Development of the Niger Delta.”
Otuaro explained that all stakeholders in the region must work towards this goal and consolidate the success of the Amnesty Programme to prevent the Niger Delta from relapsing into the pre-amnesty years.
He recalled the pre-amnesty years of serious conflicts and violence, which negatively impacted the region and the country.
“Sustaining the peace and security of the Niger Delta is the mandate of the Amnesty Programme, and we must do this for our communities, our children, and their children,” Otuaro said.
“The PAP was established in 2009 to disarm, demobilise, and reintegrate former Niger Delta agitators. The first two phases of the programme have been completed, with the Amnesty Office now tasked with the reintegration of former agitators into the society and providing institutional support for impacted communities in the Niger Delta,” the administrator said.
Otuaro stated that the PAP was an opportunity for the people of the region which, if well leveraged, could help to resolve some of the challenges of the Niger Delta, especially human capital development.
He urged the stakeholders not to worry, as he had assurances from President Bola Tinubu that the Federal Government would prioritize the development of the Niger Delta.
“The President is very serious about the peace and security of the Niger Delta region,” he said.
“Many delegates and beneficiaries from our impacted communities have received quality training and high-level manpower skills in diverse fields of human endeavours.
“Today, several are gainfully employed as air traffic controllers, flight instructors, aircraft maintenance engineers, pilots, and underwater welders.” Otuaro stated.
He explained that others have also been trained and empowered through the Programme and are doing very well in various trades.
He listed the areas as fashion design, unisex salon, fish farming, baking and confectionery, rice production, hairdressing, cement, and building materials.
“In addition, several PAP scholarship students have made First Class and Second Class Upper in different courses of study, including Medical and Clinical Sciences, in universities at home and abroad.
“My leadership is committed to sustaining this trajectory of academic excellence, which is being applauded by well-meaning individuals and organizations across the region and indeed the country.” he stated.