Delta senator warns: Ex-militants may soon start causing problems

Peter Nwaboshi, senator representing Delta north, says ex-militants may “cause problems” if the allowances owed to them are not paid.

Speaking on the floor of the senate on Thursday, Nwaboshi said only N10 billion out of the N38.2 billion appropriated in 2017 budget has been released for the ex-militants.

The senator lamented that the ministries in charge of releasing funds do not release it even after the national assembly has approved.

“What is happening Mr President is that after we have made these approvals, the ministries concerned with the release of these funds, do not release them,” Nwaboshi said.

“Let me make an example, for the second quarter, first and second quarter, what they are supposed to pay to them is N38.2 billion but what they have given to them today is only N10 billion and what is the effect of it? The effect of it is [that they are] owed four months in respect of monthly stipend.

“Five months in-training allowance for students studying abroad and locally have not been paid. Their tuition fees have not been paid. These students are being sent out, demonstrations are going on across the globe because of non-payment of allowances and tuition fees.

“Mr President, this is a very serious matter and I need to bring it to the attention of this senate that we are facing another problem, maybe if this situation is not curtailed or action taken, these ex-militants will start doing what they know how to do, causing problems.”

While noting that the country’s oil revenue had increased due to the relative peace in the Niger Delta, the senator urged his colleagues to ensure that government clears the backlog meant for the ex-militants.

Bukola Saraki, senate president, said the release of only N10 billion out of the N38.2 billion budgeted for the amnesty programme “is not acceptable.”

He directed John Enoh, chairman senate committee on finance, to meet with Kemi Adeosun, minister of finance, to ensure the release of the funds.