Tension is rising in Niger Delta over the plight of students undergoing various academic and vocational training abroad under the Presidential Amnesty Programme of the Federal Government.
Reports indicate that the students, who are undergoing higher education in Europe, America, Asian and African countries, were stranded due to the inability of the government to pay their tuition and other fees.
Youths in the region, including family members of the stranded students, were said to be threatening to begin attacks on oil facilities to compel the government to work out measures of settling its financial obligations to the students.
The region, it was further learnt, is tense and its existing peace could be disrupted with fresh onslaught unless the government start paying beneficiaries of the programme.
Following threats to peace in the region, notable ex-militant leaders and former commanders of the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta, on Thursday sent a Save Our Soul (appeal) letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The ex-militant leaders, under the auspices of Leadership Peace and Cultural Development Initiative, urged the President to urgently address issues within the Presidential Amnesty Office.
The ex-creek warlords, in the letter signed by their President, Pastor Reuben Wilson, reminded the President that the amnesty, which was proclaimed by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, was the reason behind increase in crude oil production.
Wilson said, “Thus with the acceptance and commencement of the programme, our production of oil drastically increased from a paltry 900,000 barrel a day to over 2,000,000 barrels a day while issues of kidnapping and pipeline destruction became minimal.
“This upsurge brought about increase in our national income. We have, however, acknowledged that with the exit of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the tenure of the former Chairman of PAP came to an end.
“Following late release of funds, the former amnesty boss was unable to pay beneficiaries of …Read More
Source:: New Mail
