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The federal government is to resume cash payments to militants in the oil-rich Niger Delta, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) world service, has quoted some government as revealing.
According to the report, the move is seen as an attempt to curb new attacks which have severely affected oil production in Nigeria.
It said the government stopped the payments in February this year, resulting in militants accusing it of breaching an amnesty deal negotiated in 2009.
It further reported that the military had carried out several air strikes in the region in an attempt to destroy militant bases.
The report said the spokesperson of the amnesty programme, Piriye Kiyaramo, initially said the payments, which include tuition for those studying abroad, had been made on Monday, but militants contacted by the BBC said they had yet to receive the money.
It said: “Mr. Kiyaramo later told the BBC that a ‘hiccup’ meant to money would be paid by Tuesday night.
“We expect the amnesty to be paid tonight to 30,000 youths involved in the amnesty programme. The Central Bank has released the money. Under the amnesty deal, each militant is entitled to N65, 000 a month and job training.”
It recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, who came to power last year, announced plans in this year’s budget to reduce funding for the programme by 70 per cent amid allegations of widespread corruption.
It said there had been many catastrophic oil spills in the Niger Delta over the years.
“At the same time, a new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), stepped up attacks on oil plants and pipelines, causing a sharp fall in oil production and worsening the financial crisis in Africa’s most populous state. Oil is the Nigerian government’s main source of income.
“Militants say they are fighting so local people can benefit more from their region’s natural resources. Oil spills have also resulted in environmental devastation over the years.”
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