In 2009, the Niger Delta Amnesty program was started to stop militants from sabotaging oil refineries in Nigeria.
According to some ex- militants, they have stopped receiving their monthly monies which was made available to them via the Niger Delta amnesty program. As reported to VOA, one Mr Kemepade Ebikpade who used to run guns to the Niger Delta militants, but now runs a welding shop, was among those receiving up to $300 monthly from the Nigerian Government, but said since last month the money stopped coming with no explanation.
Ebikpade reported he had no plans to take up arms again, but worries that some other militants might not feel the same way he does, particularly the younger militants. He also called on the current Nigerian President to do more in addressing the Niger Delta’s needs.
The current state of the amnesty program is not as transparent. However, Local media reported that the government was just behind in its payments.
On taking office, Buhari promised to continue to "invest heavily" in the existing projects while "streamlining" rehabilitation programs, to ex- militants in the Niger Delta region. However, the government has not given further details.
Niger Delta activist Annkio Briggs said to Nigeria’s current administration,“For us, we have made up our minds that it is no longer acceptable that we should continue to provide all the revenue, most of the revenue, that Nigeria needs and still remain as backwards and as neglected as we are."
Nigeria economy is still struggling with Oil making up about 75 percent of Nigeria’s budget revenues, the continuous drop in global price of crude doesn't help matters. At the height of the divide, ex militants by sabotaging oil refineries reduced Nigeria's oil output by 25%. Of which some of the ex militants are more than willing to pick up arms if the amnesty program fails to fulfill its purpose with the current administration.
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