Some former Niger Delta militants have lashed out at the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun over the refusal of her Ministry to release the 2016 supplementary budget for the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
The agitators under the aegis of Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative, LPCDI, claimed that the non-remittance of the funds was frustrating the amnesty beneficiaries and the ongoing peace process in the region.
A letter to the Minister signed by LPCDI, President, Reuben Wilson also called ‘General Pastor’ called on Adeosun to ensure the prompt release of funds for effective management of the programme.
According to Wilson, “The release of the budgetary allocation for the Presidential Amnesty Programme will strengthen the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government to enthrone lasting peace in the Niger Delta region.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is working tirelessly to foster peace and development in the region. Therefore, the prompt release of the funds will go a long way in strengthening the efforts of the President towards the enthronement of peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
“The delay in the payment of stipends to the beneficiaries of the amnesty programme will greatly negate the current efforts of the Federal Government in ensuring peace in the region.
“It is pertinent to note that the Presidential Amnesty Programme is a great contributor to the current peace prevailing in the region.”
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