Governor Udom Emmanuel has advocated for integration of entrepreneurial skills geared towards creating wealth in the scheme of the Presidential Amnesty programme, to make repentant ex-militants in the Niger Delta region, self-sufficient than depend only on stipends from government.
Governor Emmanuel made this known during a courtesy visit on him by Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Col. Milland Dikio (Rtd), on Tuesday, at Executive Chambers, Government House, Uyo.
The Governor called on the Federal Government to partner Niger Delta States to identify specific needs such as reactivation of some moribund industries where repentant ex-militants can be employed and engaged in diverse skills to create sustainable wealth for the society rather than depend solely on stipends.
“I am happy you mentioned clearly that Akwa Ibom people have not benefited so much, so I’m assuming your visit is to see how Akwa Ibom people can benefit much more now.
“I am one of those who believe that the stipends are not the solution to the whole programme. We have Ebughu Fisheries Terminal that has been dormant over the years, these are assets if reactivated and put into use would have helped in this amnesty programmes, stipends will not go anywhere.
“The Amnesty Programme could have set a target since 2009, and during the cause of their training they could also train sports athletes. There are endless opportunities that we can look beyond payment of stipends, so why not get these people engaged in so many other areas”.
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The Chief Executive Officer of the State however advised Niger Delta States to take advantage of the Presidential Amnesty Programmes in the region, adding that if the programmes established for development of the region can be judiciously implemented to the benefit of the people, there will be peace in the region.
Governor Emmanuel further indicated that engaging repentant militants in agriculture and fish production will not only create wealth but will engage and put an end to restiveness.
“How can we sit back and design something that is home grown that will take these people off the stipends because the day you leave without paying them the stipends again, they will be at the government house gate to tell me you have not paid, but the issue is can we take these guys off the street the answer is yes there are various ways.
“If Amnesty can invest some money into this Ebughu Fisheries only God knows how much we can make, what stops amnesty from putting a trawler in our deep sea, only God knows how many people it can engage in that deep sea.”
The Governor thanked the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, for the visit, expressing optimism that the partnership will identify grey areas for the programme to succeed.
In his remark, Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Col. Milland Dikio (Rtd), thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for a warm reception accorded the team and announced plans to establish a liaison office in the State.
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Col. Dikio (Rtd) applauded the giant strides of Governor Emmanuel led administration especially in the Aviation industry, adding that his vision is to mould the ex-agitators from depending on stipends to being entrepreneurs and creators of labour.
‘’From economic perspective we think we must have a Liaison office in Akwa Ibom State. When I assumed duties I set for myself very key goals, to turn our ex-agitators from being dependent on stipends to being entrepreneurs and creators of labour.
“To add to that, is to train our people to be so competent that they will apply for any job without any fear of having the tag I am a Niger Deltan.”
