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From Isaac Job, Uyo
Former agitators from Akwa-Ibom State have threatened to embark on a week-long protest over their alleged exclusion from the benefits of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) by the Federal Government.
The threat was contained in a statement by the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum, Akwa-Ibom State chapter.
The Forum, which comprises representatives of ex-militant groups, freedom fighters and pressure groups in the state, said the protest would take place in Uyo and other major towns in the state.
The statement was signed by the forum’s chairman, General Ekpo Ekpo; vice chairman, Ubong Ebetor; secretary, Sunny Afiah and Mr. Inyang Effiong, among others .
The former agitators said the protest is aimed at informing the Federal Government to restructure the PAP because of alleged financial improprieties and nepotism.
The Forum complained that 22 of 46 former militants from the state had been excluded from the monthly stipends to former Niger Delta agitators, who laid down their arms in 2009 in obedience to the amnesty programme of the Federal Government.
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It also disclosed that ex-militants from Akwa Ibom State had been denied scholarships and training currently enjoyed by their colleagues in other Niger Delta states.
Part of the statement read: “This action is aimed at pressing our previous demand for the total restructuring of the Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP), as well as the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the illegal diversion of N257,000,000.
“This sum was meant for 22 out of 46 members of the Ukanafun Freedom Fighters, including the camp leader, former General Udom Ebetor, who accepted the presidential amnesty declaration in 2009 and surrendered their arms and ammunition to the Presidential Amnesty Committee in Akwa-Ibom State.
“The same 46 members were invited to participate in the demobilisation training programme in Obubra, which they successfully completed. They were issued certificates and United Nations (UN) codes on September 26, 2010.
“Furthermore, from October 2009 to December 2010, these 46 members received monthly stipends of N65,000. However, from January 2011 to the present day, 22 of these members, including the camp leader, have not received their monthly stipends for no stated reason.
“This development has caused severe hardship, pain and suffering to these 22 individuals, who voluntarily accepted the presidential amnesty, renounced armed struggle and committed themselves to peace, stability and economic growth in Akwa-Ibom State, the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.
“We firmly believe that the Niger Delta struggle was a fight against injustice and underdevelopment in the region. The Presidential Amnesty Programme was established to champion this cause.”
