The Presidential Amnesty Office, on Friday, commenced the payment of outstanding stipends to former agitators in the Niger Delta and beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
The payment followed the approval granted by President Muhammadu Buhari for commencement of payment of the stipends and allowances to the beneficiaries.
The Amnesty Office in a press release by the Head of Media and Communication, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday commenced the payment with the outstanding May stipend of N65,000 per beneficiary.
“The outstanding stipends will be paid in batches. We have commenced payment with the outstanding May 2015 stipends. That of June and July will be paid afterwards.
“The outstanding allowances and school/training fees of beneficiaries will be cleared at the end of the ongoing verification exercise of genuine claims. Hopefully, the other payments will commence soon once the verification team concludes its exercise,” Alabrah stated.
On July 28, 2015, President Buhari appointed retired Brig-General Paul Tarila Boroh as the PAP Coordinator and Special Adviser on Niger Delta.
On assumption of office the next day, the new Special Adviser/Coordinator immediately set up a seven-man committee to undertake a verification exercise of claims.
Gen. Boroh said the approval granted by the President for commencement of payment was “heartwarming.”
“Mr. President has by his approval demonstrated his commitment to strengthening of the Amnesty Programme. It is heartwarming that he graciously approved funds so as to quickly resolve the issues that have affected the smooth running of the programme.
“Now beneficiaries whose training or studies have been affected can look forward to resuming their studies sooner than later. We are committed to a quick resolution of all outstanding issues, including the training fees,” Boroh said.
