The Niger Delta amnesty program which was launched by President Yaradua on 6th August, 2009, brought unprecedented peace and stability to the oil rich region and the entire economy of the country.
Recalling the menace that sarounded Oil and Gas activities in the region before the launching of this program. The program brought relative peace. The Communities and people of the Niger Delta region have cooperated with both Government and the companies adequately bringing robust oil and Gas Economy that boosted the country revenues.
Many youths in the Region benefited from this program. Some have become professional pilots, engineers and are gainfully employed.
The stipen of 65,000 paid monthly to shortlisted ex-militant members has become a social security fund that has change their lives for better.
Speeking with newsmen in Yenagoa , Bayelsa state, Engr. Awowoh Christian said It will be wrong and Catastrophic for Government to scrap this fund at this time as it will do mo harm than good. Couple with the fact that the region already suffer huge poverty, pollution, poor infrastructure even when it is the highest revenue source for the entire country.
Remember that the Ex- militants have stage protests for the past one week blocking the Warri Portharcourt section of the East- West Road and the Amnesty office at the FCT Abuja.
He advice the Government that while calming the protesters. they should look in the direction of solving it’s revenue need by removing petroleum subsidy rather than the paltery few millions that come’s to the poor people of the Niger Delta Region that even need more compensation.
