TheCable

Some Niger Delta youths have applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his “continued support in fast-tracking and sustaining the amnesty programme under the leadership of Charles Dokubo”.

Speaking under the auspices of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, they said the amount alloted to the scheme in the 2020 budget demonstrates the president’s commitment to the peace in the Niger Delta and prosperity of the nation.

The federal government set aside N65 billion for the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the 2020 budget.

In a statement signed by Daniel Dasimaka, spokesmen of apex body of Ijaw youth, they said the budget would enable the Dokubo-led amnesty office to build the capacity of more delegates of the programme and integrate them into proper and productive members of the Niger Delta and Nigerian society.

“We note with delight that the President acknowledged the vital role played by the sustained peace in the Niger Delta which is in large part due to the Amnesty programme in raising the nation’s Foreign Reserves from US$23 billion in October 2016 to about US$42.5 billion by August 2019. According to President Buhari the increase is largely due to minimal disruption of crude oil production given the stable security situation in the Niger Delta region. Without the proper management of the Programme, the story would have been different today” Dasimaka said.