N’Delta ex-agitators call on Buhari over their alleged withheld entitlements

By Ebi Perekeme

Ex-militants in the Niger Delta have threatened to return to the creeks if the Presidential Amnesty Programme fails to give them starter packs and other entitlements.

They said that they are giving the office of the programme seven days to comply with their demand. They lamented that despite completing their training and skill acquisition under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), the office had yet to release their starter packs.

They called on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the PAP coordinator, Prof. Charles Dokubo, to pay the trainer, Ezonebi Training Centre, to enable the centre provide them with required entitlements.

Leader of the delegates, Mr. Ati Jackson, after deliberations in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said their position was a final warning.

Jackson said the group protested last week for the same reasons adding that Dokubo should be held responsible for their actions.

He said, ”Ezonebi Training Centre had since given six-month training to a good number of persons (delegates) under the Amnesty Programme and has not been paid her allowances.

“The delegates protested last week in respect of the development, demanding that her money be paid to her or they would go back to the creeks.

“We are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Security (DSS) to compel Professor Charles Dokubo to make payments to Ezonebi Traning Centre before this month end 31 October, 2019”.