The Ijaw Youth Council on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to pay the backlog of stipends owed ex-militants.

The council’s Spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare, in a statement said that the IYC was not happy the Coordinator of Amnesty Programme, with the disposition of Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), toward facilitating the release of the stipends from the government.

He said that Boroh had attributed the delay in the payment to the Treasury Single Account policy of the government.

He said, “Niger Delta ex-militants under the amnesty programme are being owed five months arrears of stipends.”

The spokesman said that the non-payment had subjected the ex-militants to untold hardship and `miserable’ Christmas celebration.

He said, “We also call on the National Security Adviser, Gen. Babagana Munguno, under whose office the amnesty programme is domiciled, to take steps to immediately effect the payments to avoid unnecessary hostility.”

However, Boroh reassured the ex-militants of payment of the stipends, urging them not to be agitated by the delay.

According to him, the Federal Government is aware of the pains the ex-militants are going through and will ensure that they get their stipends soon.

He said, “I am assuring all beneficiaries under the programme that arrangements are being made to fast-track the payment of their stipends as soon as the Amnesty Office receives its allocation.”


http://punchng.com/pay-backlog-stipends-ex-militants-tell-fg/