Niger Delta: Ijaw Activist Faults FG Amnesty Programme

PHOTO: L-R; NIGER DELTA MINISTER, ELDER GODSDAY ORUBEBE WITH FORMER MINISTER, CHIEF UFOT EKAETTE.

WARRI, DELTA April 25, (THEWILL) - As the ongoing federal government amnesty programme in the Niger Delta continues to generate debate, a prominent Niger Deltan, Chief Afro Buikeme, has faulted the manner in which the amnesty programme is being handled, saying the programme has added more pains to the predicament of the Niger Deltans.

Addressing Newsmen in Warri, Buikeme said, the "unrealistic amnesty" has imposed untold hardship on the people of the region, maintaining that the federal government was never sincere in its decision to develop the region, and also make life meaningful for the inhabitants.

He blamed the poor performance of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the newly created Niger Delta Ministry on the federal government, noting that those appointed to lead the agencies were not capable of delivering development in the area.

Buikeme, further complained that there are other important issues that the federal government ought to give priority to instead of using the amnesty to "buy time to further deceived the people of the region."