A former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) commissioner of police (retd), Lawrence Alobi, has urged the Federal Government to sustain and adequately fund the Presidential Amnesty Programme to maintain the prevailing peace and security in the Niger Delta.
He described the programme as a catalyst for development of the, hitherto, restive region.
Speaking with newsmen, yesterday, in Abuja, Alobi, a renowned security analyst and managing director of High-tech Security Limited, said this was necessary in view of the attendant effects of insecurity in the Niger Delta on the country’s economy.
“Amnesty programme should be properly funded, so that more Niger Delta youths can be trained and empowered in order to sustain peace, security and development of the region. The programme should not have a timeline. No community can develop without peace and security.
“That is why Section 14 of the constitution emphasises the importance of security; it says the security and welfare of citizens shall be the priority of government. Peace is not something that has a life span. Peace and security of the Niger Delta is very important because that is where our economy basically relies on.
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“Amnesty should not be something that has a lifespan. It should be in perpetuity. The programme should continue. When empowered, our youths work and contribute to promote that desired peace and security,” he said.
Alobi, who is also a legal practitioner, noted the gains of amnesty programme, under the incumbent coordinator and Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Prof. Charles Dokubo, whose pragmatic leadership, he said, has led to the breaking of new grounds in training and empowerment of Niger Delta youths.
“Charles is a leader who believes in human capital development; he believes in team spirit and empowering the youths, which is the main purpose of establishing the amnesty programme,” he said.
Alobi advocated the inclusion of more Niger Delta youths in the amnesty programme and noted that when the youths are trained and empowered, they would add value to their lives.