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The Presidential Amnesty Programme has declared that Federal Government’s ongoing review of the programme will institutionalise and refocus the programme for the overall best interest of its beneficiaries.
A statement issued by its Special Assistant on Media, Murphy Ganagana, disclosed that this was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s determination to deliver the gains of the Amnesty Programme through a transparent process that would ensure that allocated resources were judiciously used.
“The aim is also to ensure that the success of the programme lies on the transformation of ex-agitators from militancy to actualising their aspirations, engaging in businesses and living sustainable livelihood,” he said.
Ganagana pointed out that this was why the programme focused on education, vocational training and empowerment, designed to address development issues in the Niger Delta region.
He noted that there was, however, growing concern that corruption and lack of accountability might have frustrated the reintegration component of the programme adding, “This must stop for the benefit of beneficiaries and the Niger Delta.
He explained that while the PAP, which was initiated on June 25, 2009, has contributed to stability in the Niger Delta region, there have been persistent calls by stakeholders for a review of the programme to achieve its objective of sustaining peace, security and human capital development in the region.
The statement added that for more than 10 years after its creation amidst several petitions and allegations of corruption, which were being investigated, available data pointed to a systemic problem with the programme structure that permitted abuse of processes.
The situation has now been identified as conflicting with Federal Government’s resolve to address the causes of under-development in the Niger Delta conflict that necessitated the Amnesty Programme.
Ganagana observed that to protect all beneficiaries and ensure that no one was left behind, government was reviewing the propramme to make it work better for human capital and socio-economic development, as well as empowerment of the region and its people.
