Dickson pleads with ex-militants, asks FG to pay their entitlements

Seriake Dickson, governor of Bayelsa state, has pleaded with former militants under the amnesty programme to cancel planned protests over non-payment of stipends.

He also called on the presidential amnesty office to urgently pay whatever was due to the militants.

The governor also urged the militants to be calm and exercise patience with the federal government over delay in the payment.

He made the plea in a statement issued on Sunday by Jonathan Obuebite, the commissioner for information.

The statement quoted Dickson as advising all stakeholders in the Niger Delta struggle to “eschew violence and live in peace”.

It said issues concerning their welfare would soon be addressed.

The governor’s call is coming amidst plans by the former militants to disrupt peace and destroy national assets.