The members of the south-south parliamentary caucus in the House of Representatives have supported the ex-militants who held a protest march in Abuja last week.



They asked that the former militants be included in the post-amnesty programme of the federal government.

The federal lawmakers also canvassed the immediate commencement of remedial works on the bad portions of the East-West Road before the dry seasons sets in.

During a visit to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, in Abuja, on Thursday, the caucus members, led by the chairman, Andrew Uchendu (PDP, Rivers), regretted the protest by the ex-militants to Abuja, and urged the minister to rehabilitate them with a view to re-integrating them into the society.

Those that made the visit, apart from Mr. Uchendu were Daniel Reyenieju (PDP, Delta), Patrick Ikhariale (PDP, Edo), and Patty Etete (PDP, Akwa Ibom).

According to them, the protesting ex-militants should be registered for the ongoing training and rehabilitation programme. They noted that their rehabilitation will not only reduce perennial crisis in the oil-bearing Niger Delta region, but also return the country's oil production level to normal, which in turn would boost the nation's economy.

Carry them along

The lawmakers appealed to Mr. Orubebe to intervene in the disagreement between the special adviser to the president on amnesty programme, Timi Alaibe, and the ex-militants to ensure smooth implementation of the programme, which began under the last president, Umaru Yar'Adua.

On the East-West Road, the caucus members said remedial work should commence, pending the coming of dry season, when the contractors are expected to return to do the main job of constructing the dual carriage way.

Responding, Mr. Orubebe assured that the amnesty programme is not only on course, but will be successfully implemented. He admitted that there were some challenges shortly after the ex-militants surrendered their arms and ammunition, but stated that the challenges were the normal ones associated with the novel ideas in the society.

The minister disclosed that a major component of the post-amnesty programme - the rehabilitation and training of ex-militants - has effectively taken off in two locations. According to him, about 500 ex-militants have began training at a Skill Acquisition Centre in Ondo State, while about that same number are on similar scheme in Obubra, Cross River State.

Mr. Orubebe said that the federal government has already directed contractors handling the various sections of the East-West Road and the major artery across the South-South geo-political zones to take immediate steps towards salvaging the road, to reduce the current stress faced by their users.

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