Some former militant warriors who are currently undergoing training in the Niger Delta have said that the federal government is not sincere with its promises, saying many promises made in a bid to hoodwink them to maintain peace have remained unfulfilled.
Our correspondent, who spoke with some of the militants in Delta state, gathered that the federal government is not willing to make good its promise to the youths.
Emmanuel Perezi, one of the Ex-militants from Southern Ijaw of Bayelsa state, told our reporter that he is angry with the federal government following the manner the government is treating them because they have surrendered their arms and yielded to the desires of the Nigerian government.
Perezi, who is undergoing training in mechanized vegetable production, said: “I don’t expect the federal government to treat us like this. I’m not happy with what I’m seeing but I will still succumb to their government.
“I am not happy with the federal government at all. I want them to see it I am not happy. They promised us two bedroom flats, cars but all the promise made to us, no one we are seeing. We are here like army trainees.
“We are not in the barracks. They need to treat us very well. You can see the environment we are in. I’m not happy but we will still embrace the government.
“I am ready for the training. But one thing I must tell the federal government is that the promise of empowerment they gave us should not fail. Let it be done. If that empowerment is done, I have no problem.”
Another Ex-militant, Timi Prebi, noted that the federal government promised them a lot of things but the promises have remained unfulfilled.
He said: “When we went to Obobra to do this training, like me, I do mechanical fitting engineering. I’m an engineer. I’m not into agric but surprisingly my came out in agriculture. But the agreement I entered with the federal government was not into agriculture.
“They said after my training, they will give me a job and they asked what kind of job do I like to do, I told them I will like to work with Agip. I do mechanical fitting engineering. I’m a confirmed engineer. But today, I see myself doing agriculture.”
He lamented that so many of their colleagues have been trained but no empowerment as promised by the federal government.
According to him: “There are so many of our brothers who have been trained for long, some five months, some six months, or even a year, but nothing like empowerment. After the training, they dumped them outside. When the government officials are called, they don’t pick calls again.
“They keep them outside suffering. Even to get the stipend from the amnesty office is a problem. Before you get the pay, maybe three or four months. So, for me, I’m happy but I’m not happy. I will still say my mind because I’m a business man. They should fulfill the promises they made to us.”
However, Paye Amebi, also from southern Ijaw of Bayelsa state, expressed appreciation to the federal government for the opportunity given them to be trained and acquire skills to help them build a better future for themselves.
He said: “I thank God for this training. We will put our head in it to get what brought us here and take something home. I want to go into fruit farming.
“I want to acquire the knowledge so that I won’t go back to the creeks again. I will preach to other youths to embrace peace and avoid violence. I’m grateful to the federal government.”