Federal government asked to pay outstanding stipends owed ex militants

The federal government of Nigeria has been asked to pay outstanding stipends owed to former militants in the Niger Delta region.

The request was made by the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), a coalition of ethnic nationalities in the region, during a meeting with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, in Abuja.

PANDEF's Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, said that the outstanding stipends were owed to former militants who had laid down their arms and were participating in the government's amnesty program.

He stated that the stipends were part of the agreement reached between the federal government and the militants in 2009, and that the delay in payment was causing hardship for the beneficiaries.

"We are calling on the federal government to pay the outstanding stipends owed to our people who have laid down their arms and are participating in the amnesty program," Essien said. "We believe that this is a matter of justice and fairness, and we hope that the government will take immediate action to address this issue."

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, assured PANDEF that the federal government was committed to paying the outstanding stipends and would take necessary steps to ensure that the beneficiaries receive their entitlements.

"We understand the importance of paying the outstanding stipends to our former militants who have laid down their arms and are participating in the amnesty program," Sylva said. "We will work with the relevant agencies to ensure that the stipends are paid as soon as possible."

The payment of outstanding stipends to former militants is seen as a key step in promoting peace and stability in the Niger Delta region, which has been plagued by militancy and oil theft in recent years.

The Niger Delta region is a major oil-producing area in Nigeria, and the federal government has been working to address the grievances of the local communities and promote economic development in the region.

The payment of outstanding stipends to former militants is seen as a way to demonstrate the government's commitment to addressing the region's problems and promoting peace and stability.

It is hoped that the payment of the outstanding stipends will help to reduce tensions in the region and promote a sense of trust between the government and the local communities.