Nigerian Government to Scrap Presidential Amnesty Project
Accordingly, This would be completed after 3,232 beneficiaries of the programme have exited the ongoing training.
The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), who gave the indication at a parley with media executives in Abuja, noted that: “We are thinking of an exit strategy because you cannot be paying so much even though peace is expensive.”
He explained that “exiting the 3,232 beneficiaries will save government about N2.5 billion in stipend payments this year. A second batch of 1,042 who are currently being given starter packs to establish their individual businesses are soon to be exited from the programme which will result in N812 million savings for government this year.
Speaking on the security of the Niger-Delta region, Boroh contended that the setting up of National Coast Guards would help tremendously in securing the nation’s oil economy, maritime and other oil installations in the region, adding: “there is need for Nigeria to have a Coast Guards. “
He stressed that the Nigerian Navy as presently constituted does not have security of the creeks as its primary mandate, arguing that only the Coast Guards can perform such functions.
On whether Ogoni land is secured enough to allow for environmental cleaning of the ecosystem and other environs, Boroh assured that the Presidential Amnesty Programme office has been liasing with stakeholders to ensure a conducive atmosphere for the task ahead.
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