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W ITH barely 15 days to the expiration of the amnesty programme, which has been characterised by apathy, the Federal Government reiterated its plea to militants in the Niger Delta to lay down their arms and embrace the amnesty for reintegration and enhance accelerated development of the region.
However, the Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC) said it is not party to the 30-day declaration of ceasefire by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), warning that the truce could be threatened if the military breaches the rules of engagement.
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Godwin Abbe, who was accompanied by some repentant militants, including 'the young shall grow,' during a tour of rehabilitation centres, told journalists at the Airforce Base in Port Harcourt that government was still anxious to see more militants lay down their arms before October 4, adding: "We are not


going to wait for every body engaged in militancy to move on, because the country moves ahead."
He disclosed that the exercise has recorded tremendous success and government was convinced of its huge success beyond doubt, noting that the intention of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua is good and he means well for the Niger Delta people.
The Guardian learnt that the programme has suffered some hitches in Rivers State due largely to inappropriate funding. For instance, the rehabilitation centre at Aluu is presently undergoing renovation and has not been furnished.
Meanwhile, Abbe has denied allegation that N50 billion has been budgeted for the programme in this year's budget, explaining that the amount was the cumulative estimate for two years.
The Minister held a meeting with Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who reiterated his support for the process.
The state coordinator of the programme, Mr. Bestman Nwoka, told The Guardian that 700 repentant militant have so far reported at the rehabilitation camp, where 2,300 are being expected before the October 4 deadline.
The JRC spokesperson, Cynthia Whyte, yesterday warned that there would be no peace in the region "until that which belongs to Caesar is given to Caesar, amnesty or no amnesty."
Whyte cautioned that government's deployment of gunships in the Niger Delta might mark the beginning of a new revolution founded on innovative methods of guerrilla warfare.
JRC wondered why a country that cannot provide basic infrastructure for its people should go out to buy multi-million dollar gunboats and gunships, wondering what it would cost to provide key infrastructure in the Niger Delta.
Whyte said: "Niger Delta provides all the oil and gas resources that is the core of the budget of the Nigerian state. Go and find out how many Niger Deltans were awarded Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) scholarships.
"Go through the top management list of PTDF and find out how many of its top executives are from the Niger Delta. What greater way can you undermine the people of the Niger Delta than short-changing them in receiving and enjoying the blessings that come from their land?"