FORMER militants in the Niger Delta region have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to investigate the alleged shortchanging of ex-fighters in the payment of their monthly stipends.
The former agitators alleged that the committee handling the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme was in the habit of slashing funds released to them.
Speaking under the auspices of Ex-agitators in Niger Delta and the Social Restoration Foundation, the former militants urged the Federal Government to look into the allegations in order to forestall any breakdown of law and order and sustain the peace enjoyed within the region.
In a communiqué issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, the ex-militants also alleged that those handling the amnesty programme were bringing in relatives and other people that had nothing to do with the Niger Delta struggle, to the detriment of the real ex-fighters.
The communiqué, which was signed by representatives of the ex-agitators, ‘Commander’ Bestman Probel, Ronald Onuosa, C. Opurum and SOREF representative, Dr. Terry Bagia, indicated that the amnesty programme had been hijacked and skewed.
It stated, “The process has been so mismanaged to the point that even the monthly stipends meant for the boys are being shared by most leaders and their accomplices in the Amnesty Office.
“We have uncovered the syndicate, whose specialty is to slash the monthly stipends of the ex-agitators. We hope that our findings be properly investigated and punitive measures meted out.
“The members of the committee bring in relatives and friends and people they owe favour, thus shortchanging the real fighters. We hereby condemn this action and call for an independent investigation to confirm this.
“We hereby issue an ultimatum of seven days to the Federal Government of Nigeria to look into these issues raised to forestall breakdown of law and order .”
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Anyway,we are not surprised..the minister of Niger Delta,Goddsday Orubebe who was alleged sometime ago building multi billion house at Abuja by Setraco Construction company and National assembly where notified about it yet nothing was done..Niger delta people are the architect of their problem.
ReplyDeleteEx- militants, don't waste your time,those you are reporting the matter to are among those who share your money,it is an avenue for them to enrich themselves..But God will judge them