Amnesty has given us better orientation — Muturu, ex-militant leader

The benefits of the ongoing amnesty programme granted Niger Delta ex-militants by the Federal Government, has been described as an eye-opener to youths of the Niger Delta area. In this interview with the Delta state chairman, Phase 2 ex-militants, Mr Kingsley Muturu, he disclosed that the programme is a plus to the Nigerian government and its people, particularly Niger Deltans. Excerpts:


Can you briefly tell us about the implementation of the amnesty programme, from its inception to the present moment?
Well, I can say the programme is progressing because there are a lot of success stories to tell, which you media people are aware of. We have had orientation over the struggle; we have had better ways to approach issues regarding the Niger Delta struggle for fair treatment from the government at the centre.
In fact, the amnesty programme has sharpened our sense of reasoning and better orientation on the Nigerian state.
Can you compare the former government and the present one in terms of its implementation?
The former administration which office was chaired by Kingsley Kuku tried its best in carrying out re-orientation and training programmes, as well as payment of stipends to ex-agitators.
Kuku really tried his best with considerable achievement in the execution of the programme, though he might not have satisfied everybody which is a fact, that one cannot satisfy everybody all the time.
And talking about the present management, Brig. Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd) is doing his best, most especially in the area of training of youths, and that ongoing efforts will establish the programme to create job opportunities for many of us. We have seen him as somebody who has pains over the state of the Niger Delta in the discharge of his assigned duties.
Talking about the 2016 budget as presented to the National Assembly, how would you react to the amount appropriated for the amnesty programme, which is below the usual amount appropriated previous years?
Well, we have already reacted to that through an Open Letter to the President, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, recently. As I said before, President Buhari is known as a man of integrity and that implementing the amnesty programme has to do with integrity on the part of government.
We express the hope that His Excellency the President will see the need to re-visit the amount as appropriated in the budget, because I am not of the opinion that the President has ill-will towards the training programme for ex-agitators of the Niger Delta.



Check the Vanguard newspaper for the full story.



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