Payment underway, Lakemfa assures ex-Niger Delta militants

The spokesperson to the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme Office for Niger Delta former militants, Mr Owei Lakemfa, has said that there was no need for anybody to protest over  non-payment of stipends to the ex militants, as the payment was in progress.

Reacting to news of protest by ex-militants over non-payment of their stipends, Lakemfa said, “The point is that their money has been paid and they are still being paid. The payment venue is Command Children School, GRA Port Harcourt, Rivers State. There is no basis for anyone to protest provided they are genuine beneficiaries of the annual programme.

“Secondly, the payment of the stipend to the beneficiaries is going on simultaneously with a verification exercise. What is required of the beneficiaries is to come with identity cards for demobilisation or certificates given to them during orientation.

“It is not impossible that those protesting do not have a means of identification.  Also, while a lot of people have been paid, some said they do not want to be paid in Port Harcourt. They have demanded that the payment point be moved to Okrika, a demand that the amnesty office has rejected.

“Over the years, they have been paid through the banks. But the banks stopped since October, 2015 because they claim that some of the beneficiaries assault and intimidate some bank staff and destroy bank property. That was why the amnesty office decided to pay them directly at this current location.

“The payment is ongoing and anyone who has not been paid should go to Command Children School, GRA, Port Harcourt, get verified and be paid,” he added.