Amnesty Programme: Ex-Militants protest over non-payment of Ezonebi Training Centre

By Ebi Perekeme

The delegates of the Ezonebi Training Centre protested yesterday, Oct 15, over the non-payment of their coordinator.

The delegates blocked the East West road in the early hours of yesterday, demanding that the Presidential Amnesty Office should make payments to their coordinator for jobs completed.

They appealed to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari; National Security Adviser (NSA) and the DSS to please call Professor Charles Dokubo to order, to make payments to their coordinator for jobs completed in June 10, 2019.

The delegates, who came out to protest, expressed their disapproval of the non-payment of their coordinator for the training programme they attended at Lagos for a duration of six months.

They further mentioned that their coordinator, Enetimi Evah, was a blessing to them and the centre changed their lives for the better.

The coordinator ensured they were equipped with the right skills and all they needed to  transform their mentality. 

At the graduation ceremony held in Lagos in June 2019, they were awarded with cash gift but are yet to receive the gift due to the non-payment.

They were also unable to receive their TIN number, which was outstanding. They protested in order to collect what was due to them. 

They further mentioned that, if payment were not made quickly, they will go back to the creek and create unrest in the Niger Delta. They wanted the DSS to assist in making the payment process effective to avoid them going back to the creek.

They also vowed that if they go back to the creek, Professor Charles Dokubo should be arrested as he is to be blamed for their action, not them.

One of the delegates, Melakpo marvelous (leather work), said, “The Amnesty Office used our madam and gave her technical knockout, because Professor Charles Dokubo came for flag up at Ezonebi training centre, he also attended (or mid training beach activity) at Landmark and was aware of the progress we have made, which makes the way she is being treated bad.”

“They used Ezonebi Traning Centre and projected accomplishments to Nigeria in an elaborate graduation ceremony held at the Eko hotel Lagos in June, 2019.

“To us, we see this act as a technical knockout, as she has tried to get her outstanding payment from the office since June, but is yet to receive it and in addition she has been restricted from getting into the office to process her payment.

“This is merely an act of wickedness from the office to a dedicated contractor.