...Beneficiaries Deserve Fair Treatment, Not neglect As 65,000 Naira Hasn’t Kept Up With Rising Costs ㅡ time for a review.

......As Amnesty Programme Office Allegedly K!dnaps and Detains Delegates Demanding Better Welfare.

We must now draw attention to a matter of growing concern across the Niger Delta. The Presidential Amnesty Programme was established as a peace-building institution to foster reconciliation, reintegration, stability, and development across the Niger Delta and beyond.

However, the Forum and the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities observe with increasing concern that the Programme is now being unnecessarily draaged into the politics surrounding pipeline and oil & gas infrastructure surveillance.

We observe troubling perceptions across the region that:

• Stakeholders advocating for decentralization and equity are being subjected to subtle forms of pressure and targeting

• The Programme risks being seen as aligned with certain interests rather than serving as a neutral institution for peace

We must therefore state clearly:

The Presidential Amnesty Programme must never be used, directly or indirectly, as a tool of vengeance, intimidation, exclusion, or political retaliation against stakeholders who chose accountability over rebellion.

Any attempt to weaponize a peace-building institution for the settlement of political or commercial disputes undermines trust, weakens regional stability, and threatens the very foundation of peace the Programme was established to sustain.

The Forum also considers it necessary to draw urgent attention to the welfare of actual beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme.

Since 2010, beneficiaries have continued to receive a monthly stipend of #65,000, despite the severe economic realities currently facing the country.

This stipend structure was approved at a time when:

• The annual budgetary allocation to the Programme was reportedly below #65 billion;

• The value of the naira was significantly stronger:

• Inflation, transportation costs, food prices, housing costs, and general living expenses were far lower than they are today.

Today, annual allocations to the Programme have reportedly risen beyond N100 billion, yet the monthly stipend of ordinary beneficiaries has remained stagnant at N65,000.

The Forum views this as unfair, unrealistic, and capable of creating further frustration among beneficiaries across the Niger Delta.

We therefore call on the management of the Presidential Amnesty Programme to immediately review and upwardly revise the monthly stipends of beneficiaries to reflect present-day economic realities and the rising cost of living in Nigeria.

Furthermore, disturbing allegations have emerged across the Niger Delta region that a certain influential leader have reportedly received increases exceeding 500% in payments to his camp, while many other leaders and beneficiaries across the region continue to be neglected and excluded.

While we urge the relevant authorities to independently verify these allegations, we must caution that perceptions of selective empowerment, unequal treatment, anc preferential allocation of resources are dangerous in a region with a delicate peace structure such as the Niger Delta.

In light of the growing public concerns surrounding the management and utilization of funds allocated to the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the Forum hereby calls or both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the utilization of funds allocated to the Presidential Amnesty Programme since the inception of the administration of Chief Denis Otuaro.

Such an investigation has become necessary in the interest of: Transparency; Accountability; Public trust; Sustainable peace in the Niger Delta.

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria must not sit back and allow persons of questionable character and intentions to drag the Niger Delta region back toward instability and crisis.

Peace in the Niger Delta can only be sustained through fairness, inclusiveness accountability, and equitable treatment of all stakeholders and beneficiaries
The Forum therefore urges the President to immediately

Direct a transparent review of the current stipend structure for beneficiaries; Ensure fairness and accountability in all operational and financial disbursements connected to the Amnesty Programme and surveillance structures; Prevent the concentration of influence and state-backed resources in the hands of a few individuals;

Signed:

For and on behalf of the Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum And Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities

1. Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus President, Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide

2. Comrade Emmanuel Goteh Bieh President, Oqoni Federated Youth

3. Chief Mathias Efe Olowu, National Chairman, Odavwe R'Urhobo Group

4. Prince Dr. Asobi Ovemike, National coordinator, Ndokwa Advocacy for Development and Good Governance

5. Lord Mammoth Knight President, Ibom vouth Council

6. Hon. Kingsley Tenumah (Afere) Chairman, Warri Indigenous People's Movement (WIPM)

7. Comrade Joseph Etim Antai, FICG, National President Oro-Obolo Youth Assembly.

8. Comrade Usiwo Oghene Efezino President, Isoko Leadership forums

9. Chief Chika Obielumani JP, President, coalition of Ndokwa youth leaders

10. Chief Henry Assor Ikwerre Youth Assembly