Buhari committed to peaceful, developed Niger-Delta – Boroh

The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, says President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is committed to a peaceful and developed Niger Delta region.

Boroh, who is the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, told our correspondent in New York on Wednesday that this commitment has encouraged investors movement into the region.

“The impact of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta region has been very satisfactory and encouraging because the ex-agitators have imbibed that culture of ensuring peace.

“This is to allow for growth in the region and they are happy about it because a lot of valuable entrepreneurship programmes are ongoing in the entire Niger-Delta region.

“Their (ex-agitators) morale is high and they are happy.

“Each time I go to discuss with the ex-agitators and the youth, they pledge their loyalty and support to the present administration.

“This is so that the administration can continue the good things it is doing because of the commitment of Mr President in ensuring peace, stability and development in the region.

“The Niger Delta today is stable, peaceful and expecting investors moving there and help in adding value to the region,” Boroh said.

According to him, well over 5,000 ex-agitators have benefitted within the past two years in critical areas of aviation, maritime, oil and gas and agriculture.

The amnesty coordinator said agriculture was now the main focus of the programme in line with the government’s economic diversification strategy.

“This is to ensure that the ex-agitators imbibe the details of the new agricultural policy so that they can be professional farmers at the end of the day.

“This will create massive job opportunities, ensure that there’s food security in the region and the country at large and again, enhance our financial position.

“Niger Delta is stable and investors are moving in to continue their business,” Boroh said.

The presidential aide also explained that the programme has a terminal phase but that the ex-agitators would be empowered before the final phase.

“The programme has a timeline to phase out. It has to do with ensuring that the ex-agitators that are in the programme are adequately trained and empowered so that they can leave and this is ongoing.”