Rep Explains Benefits Of Amnesty Bill

A member of the House of Representatives, Essien Ayi, says the passage of the Amnesty Bill now before the House, will guarantee proper re-integration and empowerment of Niger Delta former militants.
Ayi who represents the Calabar South/Bakassi/Akpabuyo Federal Constituency, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Calabar.
He said that the bill to give the amnesty programme a legal backing had scaled through second reading and that a public hearing on it would soon be organised.
“This bill, if passed, will fully rehabilitate, re-integrate and empower the former militants in the Niger Delta who have dropped their arms to embrace peace.
“We are coming out with an act to better the lives of Niger Delta youths. President Muhammadu Buhari attaches so much importance and care to the repentant militants,” he said.
The lawmaker said that bombing of oil pipelines and installations was not the best way to attract government’s attention to the plight of the people.
He, however, appealed to the Niger Delta Avengers to lay down their arms and embrace peace to ensure stability in the region as well as economic growth of the country.
“For quite some time now, the country has had revenue shortfalls due to the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers.
“I am appealing to them to have a rethink and embrace peace for the benefit of the entire country,” he said.