SECURE N35.8BN FUNDING FOR AMNESTY PROGRAMME: REPS TO FG

Lawmakers from the federal House of Representatives have asked the Federal Government to immediately initiate a “sustainable plan” correct the problem of militancy in the Niger Delta saying the “confrontational approaches” adopted by the government so far has only worsened the bombing by militants.The lawmakers reached a resolution in Abuja and also called on the federal government to secure extra 35.8billion funding for the amnesty programme to ensure the continuous payment of their allowances. Mr. Ekpenyong Ayi, a member from Cross River State, who was the leader of the debate, said the N35.8bn was actually a shortfall of the original N55.8bn proposed by the Presidential Amnesty Office as its 2016 budget. He said, “The House is worried that the N20bn proposed by the Federal Government for the Presidential Amnesty Office in the 2016 budget is lower than the N55.8bn proposed by the Presidential Amnesty Office and the amount is grossly inadequate to sustain the payment of stipends to 25,000 ex-agitators, pay in-training allowances, tuition fees and other commitments.” “The incessant attacks on oil facilities have led to Nigeria losing its place as Africa’s largest oil producer because its oil output has fallen to a 22-year low of 1.4mbd as against the budgetary target of 2.2mbpd, and by June 1, 2016, it was about 990,000bpd”, the lawmaker said.

 The session was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Suleiman Lasun,to underscore the urgency of the security and economic development in the Niger Delta.

Follow us on Twitter @KARIFEST1

Share this

Karifest Duchess