TheCable

The presidential amnesty programme (PAP) has launched a N1.5 billion cooperative fund to empower business-minded ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region.

Launching the scheme at the amnesty office in Abuja on Wednesday, Barry Ndiomu, interim administrator of the PAP, said the initiative — the presidential amnesty programme (beneficiaries) cooperative society limited (PAPCOSOL),  is a “novel alternative economic development scheme” designed to create a more viable means of livelihood for ex-agitators.

Ndiomu said the initiative which would be serviced monthly with N500 million, would focus on agriculture and manufacturing.

He said the initiative was considered “the most practical approach to ensuring the sustainable reintegration of ex-agitators”.

The administrator said the scheme was birthed out of the need to encourage the ex-agitators who are getting older to explore more sustainable means of livelihood, rather than depending on the monthly N65,000 stipend.

He said the cooperative already has offices in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states and would be run by an advisory board led by Francis Tabai, a retired supreme court justice, other seasoned professionals and ex-agitators.

The programme would also be closely supervised by the PAP office, he added.

Ndiomu said the beneficiaries would be provided with technical support on their business ideas, and would also get access to grants,

In a brief remark, Tabai commended the interim administrator for championing the drive and promised to deploy his wealth of experience to ensure that the board delivers on its mandate.

Also, Felix Bonny Ayah, a member representing Southern Ijaw constituency I, lauded Ndiomu for thinking out of the box on the initiative.