The Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Retired Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, says the Niger Delta region will soon become a hub of oil business if the modular refineries are operational.
A statement by the PAP’s Head of Media and Communications, Stella Inametti, on Thursday in Abuja said Boroh made the remark on the Voice of Nigeria programme “In the News”.
“The Federal Government’s endorsement for modular refineries to be built by operators of illegal refineries and the process of engaging oil communities to protect oil pipelines have made the Niger Delta people part of the oil business,” he said.
Boroh explained that the government resolved the issue of illegal refineries in favour of the people after high-level stakeholders’ meetings.
“In our fact finding and confidence-building efforts, our high-level government officials led by the Vice President met with the Niger Delta people, identified and articulated their immediate and future needs and we are now making spirited efforts to address them.”
On the efforts to reform the ex-agitators, he said it took continuous dialogue, patience and perseverance to make them appreciate the sincerity and commitment of the current government.
According to him, he is dealing with “special people” that have been living in the creeks and changing their mindsets demand hard work and prayers.
The presidential aide said that PAP initially had 35,000 beneficiaries, noting that 7,000 have already been trained as graduates in various universities within Nigeria and foreign countries in addition to acquiring vocational skills.
Boroh pointed out that many ex-agitators are interested in making living from agriculture in line with the policy the Federal Government to diversify the economy.
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