The
Senator representing Delta North, Peter Nwaboshi, on Thursday warned that
ex-militants may, “cause problems” in the country if government fails to pay
allowances they are being owed.
Senator representing Delta North, Peter Nwaboshi, on Thursday warned that
ex-militants may, “cause problems” in the country if government fails to pay
allowances they are being owed.
The
lawmaker gave the warning on the floor of the senate while lamenting that only
N10 billion out of the N38.2 billion appropriated in 2017 budget has been
released for the ex-agitators.
lawmaker gave the warning on the floor of the senate while lamenting that only
N10 billion out of the N38.2 billion appropriated in 2017 budget has been
released for the ex-agitators.
Nwaboshi
said the Ministries in charge of releasing funds do not release it even after
the National Assembly has approved.
said the Ministries in charge of releasing funds do not release it even after
the National Assembly has approved.
The
Senator noted that Nigeria’s oil revenue has increased due to the relative
peace in the Niger Delta.
Senator noted that Nigeria’s oil revenue has increased due to the relative
peace in the Niger Delta.
He,
therefore, appealed to fellow Senators to ensure that government clears the
backlog meant for the ex-militants.
therefore, appealed to fellow Senators to ensure that government clears the
backlog meant for the ex-militants.
According
to Nwaboshi, “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.
to Nwaboshi, “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.
“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.
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.
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.”
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.”
Reacting
to Nwaboshi’s submission, the President of the senate, Senator Bukola Saraki
described as unacceptable the release of only N10 billion out of the N38.2
billion budgeted for the amnesty programme.
to Nwaboshi’s submission, the President of the senate, Senator Bukola Saraki
described as unacceptable the release of only N10 billion out of the N38.2
billion budgeted for the amnesty programme.
Consequently,
Saraki directed Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, John Enoh to meet with
the Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun to ensure that the fund meant for the
programme is released.
Saraki directed Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, John Enoh to meet with
the Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun to ensure that the fund meant for the
programme is released.
