Buhari increases Amnesty Budget by N35b

In sustenance of the new understanding between the Federal Government and oil-producing communities of the Niger Delta, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has released additional N35 billion to step-up the Amnesty Programme in the region.
Although the government had approved a N20 billion allocation for the Amnesty Programme in the 2016 budget, Buhari has now raised the funds, and as appropriated, to N55 billion with a recent release of additional N30 billion. There is also a planned release of another N5 billion later.
Currently, the Amnesty Office has now paid up all ex-militants backlog of their stipends up to the end of 2016.
The release of the additional funds is coming after presidential level interactive engagements in the Niger Delta, where the Buhari administration has enunciated a New Vision for oil-producing areas based on the presentation made by the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), to the President when he received leaders and stakeholders from the region last November.
Subsequently, the President asked Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to embark on a tour of the region that saw him visiting several oil-producing states in the country. 
Besides the monthly payment of about N65, 000 to N66,000 to the ex-militants, the funds would also go to the provision of reintegration activities under the Amnesty Programme including payment of tuition fees for beneficiaries from Niger Delta who are in post-secondary institutions at home and abroad, payment of in-training & hazard allowances and vocational training costs. 
There are also empowerment schemes and self-help, self-employment support funds, including provision of needed equipment by the Amnesty Office.
Equally, the funds would also support the training of pilots, aviation engineers, technicians, and motor vehicles mechanics from oil-producing communities.
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