The lawmakers said it became imperative to put an end to the bombings of oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta region.
They also pleaded with the Federal Government to formulate a sustainable plan to end militancy rather than the confrontational approaches so far adopted.
These resolutions by the House was sequel to a motion entitled “need for an improved funding for the amnesty programme and a suitable strategic plan end militancy in the Niger Delta” sponsored by Hon. Ekpenyong Ayi and 30 others.
Ayi while moving the motion on the floor of the House noted that the administration of late President Umaru Yar’Adua introduced the amnesty programme which led to higher oil revenues for the country.
He worried that N20bn proposed by the Federal Government is inadequate to sustain the payment of stipends of N25,000 to ex agitators, pay in training allowances, tuition fees and other commitments.
“The incessant attacks on oil facilities has led to Nigeria losing its place as Africa’s largest oil producer because it’s oil output has fallen to a 22 year low of 1.4 million barrels per day against the budgetary target of 2.2mbpd.
“This massive cut from the proposed N55bn of the amnesty office has threatened the sustainability of the Amnesty programme.
“This has led to a resurgence of militancy, as the militants are being owed arrears of stipends which has in turned to slump in oil production, “the law maker said.
Ayi noted that the attacks have negatively impacted on electricity output in the form of thermal power stations that are reliant on gas to power the turbines.
Source: Globa Village Extra
