We’ll Not Stop Grants To Ex-Militants – RSSRC

The Rivers State social  rehabilitation committee says it will not reverse its decision for the stoppage of financial grants to ex-militants trained at other social rehabilitation centres Rivers State.

The chairman of the committe, Chief Albert  Horsefall who said this at a press briefing in Port Harcourt also said that the committee was not an employment agency.

Chief Horsefall said that the committee took the decision to stop the grants when it discovered that the N250,000 grants given to the first batch were wasted by some of the ex-militants.

He said that the committee was out to ensure that the young men and women who passed through the centre become responsible members of the society by cultivating the virtue of hardwork and self reliance.

Chief Horsefall said that it was in line with this objective that the committee ensured the provision of business unit at Azuabie Town, in Trans/Amadi industrial area, Port Harcourt for the practical training of the ex-militants but regretted that majority of them placed at the unit were not taking the training serious.

According to him, the committee had decided that there would be no free money, but efforts would be made to assist and encourage those who are willing to struggle to improve their condition.

Meanwhile, Chief Horsefall has debunked speculation by one Benjomin Ahiakwo, an ex-graduate of the centre that, the committee embezzled money meant for the graduands.

He said that the committee which is made up of responsible men in the society would not have  anything to do with money meant for the rehabilitation of the graduands, pointing out that Mr Ahiakwo who was a second Batch graduate of the centre had not only threatened the committee to give him car and scholarship but also demanded for money to take care of his pregnant wife.

Speaking to newsmen, Mr Porutera William, a photographer who passed through the centre advised his colleagues to de-emphasise money and focus on the development of their skills.