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:
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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