Stakeholders in the Niger Delta region are accessing the progress and the impact of the Niger Delta amnesty programme fourteen years after its establishment by the Federal Government. The amnesty programme was initially introduced by the late President Musa Yaradua to reintegrate former agitators in the region, transforming them into entrepreneurs and employable success to address the unrest in the oil region. However, stakeholders said the intended objectives have not been fully realised.
Former agitator, Nature Dumale Kieghe says none of the thirty thousand beneficiaries have successfully been integrated into the society. Mr. Kieghe who is also the chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme Strategic Communications Committee in an interview with our reporter said that the promises made to former agitators before they were disarmed have not been fulfilled. He said the amnesty programme has not achieved its purpose and intent because the agreement the government had with them was that they were going to train and engage people but they are not engaging the people they have trained. Adding that majority of beneficiaries rely on monthly stipend of sixty-five thousand naira for sustenance.
Mr. Kieghe further explained that in as much as they have not achieved in totality the reason why the amnesty programme was established, it is not also a total failure. He said there is a positive outcome from the scholarship aspect of the programme. He explained that because of the scholarship part of the presidential amnesty programme, they have had many ex-agitators become graduates, lawyers, pilots, and PhD holders.
Also speaking on this, a lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Elechi Nwabara said that the amnesty programme did not achieve the purpose for which it was established. He regretted that despite the presidential amnesty programme, issues like youth unrest, illegal oil bunkering and social vices have continued to plague the region and it is making more success than the amnesty itself.
Dr. Nwagbara however suggest that the government redirect the amnesty funds towards establishing industries, creating employment opportunities and boosting the nation’s revenue. He further explained that the ex-agitators are seeing the amnesty programme as a money-making venture, always expecting their allowance. He said they are not accepting it wholeheartedly as a means of new leave and new livelihood. He further stressed that the money channelled to this amnesty if used to create industry, will accommodate people with different skills and success will be measurable
