'We're not owing ex-militants' - Amnesty Office

The Federal Government has said that all monthly payments to ex-militants under the Presidential Amnesty Programme were up to date.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the Head, Media and Communication, Presidential Amnesty Office, Mr Owei Lakemfa in Abuja on Friday, October 23.

According to the statement, the Federal Government has always paid in full, the monthly stipend of the beneficiaries under the programme through their respective banks.

On those who seek to be included, "the mandate of the Amnesty Programme is to cater for the 30,000 ex-agitators documented at the Disarmament Stage.

"The Programme has since passed the Demobilisation Period to the on-going Reintegration Phase.

"The Amnesty Office has no powers to either expand the programme or make new intakes. Any such approval will be purely at the discretion of the Federal Government’’, it stated.

For beneficiaries who claimed that their housing allowance or hostel fees had not been paid, it stated that the claims were being verified.

"We reiterate our readiness to receive suggestions and enquiries.

"To facilitate this, the Amnesty Office has opened a 24 – Hour Call Centre where individuals can make enquiries on issues bordering on the programme.

"The numbers are: 0703-5611-612 and 0809-0088-337 and the e-mail is: .

"We seek the co-operation and assistance of all to ensure continued peace and sustainable development in the Niger Delta", it stated.