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Oshiomhole hails Yar’Adua over amnesty, pledges support
Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole yesterday expressed appreciation over President Musa Yar’Adua’s initiative setting up an implementation committee on amnesty for militants in the Niger-Delta region.
Governor Oshiomhole who made this know in Benin City while playing host to the implementation committee on presidential amnesty for militants led by Air Vice Marshall Lucky Ararile said the initiative commands the support of every well-meaning Nigerians because, the situation in the Niger-Delta has created a image all over the world.
A release endorsed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. John Mayaki quoted the governor saying, “we pray that at the end of this exercise, the objective of disarmament and amnesty is achieved. We have serious challenges here in Edo state and we may not be in a position to fund but, you can be sure of our co-operation in terms of providing land or accommodation for collection centre.
“We are looking forward to working with this committee to bring peace to the region and improve the quality of lives of the people”, the governor stated.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Air Vice Marshall Lucky Ararile revealed that the presidential proclamation of amnesty was on the 5th of June this year after consultation with the National Assembly, National Council of States and other stakeholders adding that more consultation was on-going in the states.
He explained that there are three phases of the assignment, which are; disarmament, re-integration, demobilisation, and that the militants would be rehabilitated at the re-integration centres and classified into various trade groups.
He said the president is desirous of giving them opportunity to pursue whatever career they want especially in the area of education adding that arrangements are on for the Ministry of Niger-Delta to take over this assignment since its going to be a long term issue.
He also revealed that there is a co-ordinating centre in Enugu where the arms would be collected centrally and destroyed. He said each state has a co-ordinator sent in by each state governor beside military co-ordinators who will man the collection of arms.
He said in Edo state, there will be two collection points and one re-integration centre and that the exercise will commence on the 6th of August.
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