Niger delta amnesty programme latest news
The Niger Delta Amnesty Programme is a government initiative established in 2009 to address the militancy and violence in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The programme provides a framework for former militants to lay down their arms and participate in the development of the region. Here are some of the latest news and updates on the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme:
Recent Developments:
- Extension of Amnesty Programme: In October 2020, the Nigerian government extended the amnesty programme for another 10 years, until 2030. This was announced by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.
- Payment of Bonuses: In August 2020, the Federal Government paid N65 billion as bonuses to ex-militants who had participated in the amnesty programme. The payment was made to 30,000 ex-militants who had completed their training and were engaged in various economic activities.
- Training and Empowerment: The amnesty programme has provided training and empowerment opportunities to thousands of ex-militants. In 2020, the programme trained over 10,000 ex-militants in various skills such as agriculture, fishing, and entrepreneurship.
- Infrastructure Development: The programme has also led to the development of infrastructure in the Niger Delta region. In 2020, the government completed the construction of the 13-kilometer East-West Road in Rivers State, which was a major project under the amnesty programme.
- Security Challenges: Despite the progress made, the Niger Delta region still faces security challenges. In recent months, there have been reports of attacks on oil installations and kidnapping of oil workers in the region.
Challenges:
- Funding: The amnesty programme has faced funding challenges in recent years. In 2020, the programme's budget was slashed by 50% due to financial constraints.
- Corruption: There have been allegations of corruption within the amnesty programme, with some ex-militants accusing programme officials of embezzling funds meant for their training and empowerment.
- Lack of Jobs: Despite the training and empowerment opportunities provided by the programme, many ex-militants have complained of a lack of jobs and economic opportunities in the region.
- Security Concerns: The Niger Delta region still faces security challenges, which can hinder the progress of the amnesty programme.
Conclusion:
The Niger Delta Amnesty Programme has made significant progress in addressing the militancy and violence in the Niger Delta region. However, the programme still faces challenges, including funding constraints, corruption, and lack of jobs. To ensure the success of the programme, it is essential to address these challenges and provide sustainable economic opportunities for the ex-militants and the people of the Niger Delta region.