The Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), said that the programme has transformed over five million lives in the Niger Delta region.
Boroh, also the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday in Abuja.
He said the region was now stabilised and had witnessed development by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ministries of Niger Delta Affairs, Environment, Health, Works and Housing and Oil/Gas companies.
The Presidential aide acknowledged that the amnesty programme has a time limit.
“Amnesty programme worldwide has a limit because it is a master piece of strategy to resolving militancy.
“So, that of Nigeria was established in 2009, and it was supposed to have ended.
“But when I took over in July 2015 I had an over view of the programme and felt if it were to be stopped it will cause more problems.
“Because the programme in Nigeria had helped greatly to stabilise the region,” he said.
He, however, added that the 30,000 ex-agitators, who gave up their arms to benefit from the programme, were in three phases.
“When I came into office, I still met the load of 30,000 ex-agitators, who were supposed to have exited the programme, but were still in the programme.
“I came out with an exit strategy whereby every quarter about 5,000 will be exiting the programme.
“As well as those graduating from the school both within and outside the Nigeria, with 4,000 students graduating this year,” he said
Boroh said the amnesty office has also designed a 12 months programme to train and establish cluster farms to reintegrate 10,000 ex-agitators captured in its programme.
He added that its office has keyed into the ‘Green Alternative initiative’ of Federal Government through strategic partnership with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers programme.
According to him, its office has also collaborated with the nine oil producing States Government, Ministry of Agriculture and National Biotechnology Resource Centre.
Boroh, however, urged every Niger Deltan to take responsibilities and ensure safety of the region. (NAN)