FG cannot take in more militants into the Amnesty Programme- Boroh
Wed Jul 13, 2016 10:32:am National
2.1K By Buchi Obichie
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Matters and Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd), said that the Federal Government had already reached its maximum number of militants for the Amnesty Programme; and could not take in any more, including the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA.
While speaking on a television programme in Abuja, Boroh disclosed that he had a mandate to reintegrate 30,000 ex-militants only, and the Amnesty Programme could take in no more.
He ascribed the reason for this to the current economic meltdown in the country; and advised the agitators to gain employment instead of waiting for Government.
He also said that the Federal Government had commenced dialogue with the Avengers through the dialogue committee, with a view to halting the lingering hostility and bombing of oil facilities in the region.
He said: "Amnesty programme worldwide has a limit because it is a master piece strategy to resolve militancy. When that of Nigeria was established in 2009, it was supposed to exist for a particular time.
"I do not intend to bring in more into the programme because that is not my mandate. My mandate is to reintegrate 30,000 ex-agitators into the programme that are already in the programme. But this number is bloated because of communities affected during the conflicts. Government is also taking care of them. Some of them are undergoing skills acquisition and training.
"I do not think that the Federal Government is going to have another amnesty programme. It is very expensive and presently, our economy is not in the right status. So, it should not be a permanent programme.
"It is better to gain an employment than wait for amnesty programme. Let us think of how to create jobs and develop the country. It is better to work than think of a programme that will give you a stipend every month."
While speaking on a television programme in Abuja, Boroh disclosed that he had a mandate to reintegrate 30,000 ex-militants only, and the Amnesty Programme could take in no more.
He ascribed the reason for this to the current economic meltdown in the country; and advised the agitators to gain employment instead of waiting for Government.
He also said that the Federal Government had commenced dialogue with the Avengers through the dialogue committee, with a view to halting the lingering hostility and bombing of oil facilities in the region.
He said: "Amnesty programme worldwide has a limit because it is a master piece strategy to resolve militancy. When that of Nigeria was established in 2009, it was supposed to exist for a particular time.
"I do not intend to bring in more into the programme because that is not my mandate. My mandate is to reintegrate 30,000 ex-agitators into the programme that are already in the programme. But this number is bloated because of communities affected during the conflicts. Government is also taking care of them. Some of them are undergoing skills acquisition and training.
"I do not think that the Federal Government is going to have another amnesty programme. It is very expensive and presently, our economy is not in the right status. So, it should not be a permanent programme.
"It is better to gain an employment than wait for amnesty programme. Let us think of how to create jobs and develop the country. It is better to work than think of a programme that will give you a stipend every month."
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