Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Paul Boroh, has pleaded with youths from the Niger Delta not to panic or be agitated by the delay in the payment of their amnesty stipends.

Boroh made the plea during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Thursday, assuring those affected by the delay that efforts were on to pay them as soon as possible.

“I am assuring all beneficiaries under the programme that arrangements are being made to fast-track the payment of their stipends as soon as the amnesty office receives its allocation,” he said.

The PAP coordinator said that the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration is aware of the pains the ex-militants have been through and will ensure that they their stipends are paid soon.

He also added that his office has been working hard together with other relevant government agencies to explore how best to utilize some of the ex-militants who had been trained in one skill or another.

“The Amnesty office is collaborating with the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, to explore areas of cooperation in engaging trained beneficiaries,” he said.

He urged stake holders from the Niger Delta region to be patient as President Muhammadu Buhari is keen on achieving the ultimate goal of peace and stability in the oil-rich region.

According to Boroh, the amnesty programme had continued to record successes, citing an example with the graduation of 97 ex-agitators in advanced farming courses at the Bio-resources Development Centre, Odi, Bayelsa.

Boroh said the programme was being supervised by the.

He commended the National Biotechnology Development Agency, NABDA, who organized the programme as well as the beneficiaries for their continuous dedication to the cause of lifting Nigeria to enviable heights using agriculture.

He explained that “the beneficiaries were trained in advanced techniques in several farming areas, including fresh water fish production (aquaculture), macro propagation of elite plants, snail farming, grass-cutter farming and household production.”

“The memorandum of understanding with NABDA is to facilitate the training of 500 beneficiaries of the (amnesty) programme who are being trained in batches of 100 each for one month.”