Yenagoa, Bayelsa State we implemented our Citizen Assembly- One Day Interactive Session between Stakeholders and Ex-agitators on Tuesday 8th of October 2024 at Igurubia Square Ultra-Modern Town Hall Igbogene- Epie.
The primary objective of this engagement is to convene key stakeholders from diverse sectors to engage in substantive dialogue and collaboration aimed at advancing the Ex-Agitators which is in line with the desire of Mr President. We create an inclusive environment conducive to open discussion, information sharing, and the formulation of collective strategies to expedite the restoration of the Niger Delta environment and improve the well-being of its
The Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP) is a Nigerian government initiative established in 2009 with executive proclamation Under Section 175 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Whereas the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria acknowledges that the challenges of the Niger Delta arose mainly from the inadequacies of previous attempts at meeting the yearnings and aspirations of the people, and have set in motion machinery for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta States.
Where certain elements of the Niger Delta populace have resorted to unlawful means of agitation for the development of the region including militancy thereby threatening peace, security, order, and good governance and jeopardizing the economy of the nation;
The Government realizes that many of the militants are able-bodied youths whose energies could be harnessed for the development of the Niger Delta and the nation at large
PAP is designed to transform ex-agitators into entrepreneurs and/or employable citizens who will become net contributors to the economy of the region and the country through effective collaboration with relevant public and private institutions and state governments in the region.
The Programme’s key Components entail:
- Disarmament: Collection and destruction of arms and ammunition.
- Demobilization: Exit from militant activities.
- Reintegration: Rehabilitation, education, and job placement.
- Empowerment: Economic support, skills acquisition, and entrepreneurship.
Our findings from the engagement include;
-Concerns about Ex-Agitators in the region not captured in the Presidential Amnesty Program,
-Bureaucratic hurdles facing the non-payment of stipends for some segments of persons not captured in the Third Phase Ex-Amnesty Program since 2011 till date,
-Lack of skill acquisition programs and entrepreneurship support for persons not captured under the Third Phase Ex-Amnesty program.
-Insufficient attention from the relevant MDAs for persons captured under the Third Phase Ex-Amnesty program