Former Niger Delta militants on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to carry out what they called complete overhaul of the nation’s Amnesty Programme initiated by the administration of late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
The Coordinator, National Affairs of the United Ex-Freedom Fighters Forum, Mutu Dumex, made the call on behalf of his colleagues at a press conference in Abuja.
Dumex said having willingly keyed into the amnesty programme, he and his colleagues would not fold their arms and allow any individual to rubbish the government’s noble initiative.
He said it was on that basis that they decided to draw the attention of stakeholders to the alleged anomalies going on in the office so that the programme can be salvaged.
He said, “We call for a complete overhaul of the amnesty programme with a view to repositioning it to the lofty goals that it was set for it.
“Successive leaders of the programme have derailed from the dreams set out for the programme by the late Umaru Yar’Adua.
“We believe that Mr President means well for our region and should not allow an individual to derail such a good programme of the Federal Government.”
Dumex regretted that former militants were being owed their stipends despite repeated assurances that they would be paid.
He also alleged that school fees and medical bills of amnesty students in Nigeria were not being paid as of when due.
As part of the overhauling of the office, he also called on security agencies to investigate the office.
He urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Department of State Services to carry out a comprehensive investigation and forensic audit of the office.
PUNCH
