From Kemi Yesufu and Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to release N15 billion budgetary allocation for the funding of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
The House’s call was sequel to the adoption of a motion seeking immediate intervention in the non-release of funds for the presidential amnesty programme.
Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, sponsored the motion.
The House also mandated its Committee on Niger Delta Affairs to investigate circumstances leading to funding constraints affecting the programme and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.
In his lead debate, Ogor, who is also chairman of the South-South Caucus, expressed worry over the challenges facing PAP.
He said 30,000 beneficiaries of the programme, paid monthly allowance of N65,000 are being owed five months while those under education programmes within the country are affected by the debt owed universities, to the tune of Nl, 873, 044, 700, in addition to backlog of unpaid in-training allowances amounting to N830,500.
This was as 750 students benefitting from educational programme overseas are also affected by non-payment of in-training allowance between 2016 and 2017 totalling $4,200,000 (equivalent of N1,332,000,000) and unpaid tuition fee for 350 students amounting to $17,500,000 (equivalent of N5,512,500).
He added that 70 percent of the 637 students in various institutions in 27 countries, who are expected to graduate at the end of the 2016/2017 academic year, may not be able to do so because of non-payment of their tuition.
Also, more than 80 percent of the students have reportedly been excluded from lectures because of unpaid tuition fees.
The lawmaker, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for directing his deputy, Yemi Osibajo, to visit the Niger Delta and to consult with critical stakeholders.
He said this pointed to government’s sincerity in ensuring all success of programmes targeted at ensuring peace in the region.
“The Federal Ministry of Finance has not released to PAP, the sum of N15 billion budgeted for in the 2016 Appropriation Act and the situation is becoming serious and is capable of truncating the lofty programme as tension and threats are already palpable in the Niger Delta and among beneficiaries of the programme, both those who are onshore and offshore, with a propensity that is capable of bringing Nigeria into disrepute nationally and internationally, unless the matter is addressed,” he said.
Speaking in support of the motion, Deputy Whip, Pally Iriase and Johnson Agbonayinma pleaded that the funds be released quickly as effective implementation of PAP will safeguard peace in the Niger Delta region, “which is critical to the stability of the country’s economy.”