Govt Rejects Oil Firms' U.S.$30 Million Gift

Daily Trust

14 February 2011

Govt Rejects Oil Firms' U.S.$30 Million Gift

Lagos — The $30 million (N4.6 billion) promised by the oil and gas companies in Nigeria towards the training of some ex-militants in the Niger Delta has been rejected by the Federal Fovernment as it considers it too little in the effort to make the region free of restiveness. Some of the oil companies include: Agip, Shell, Chevron etc.

The 3, 000 ex-militants which the firms propose to train is also too small, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta affairs Kingsley Kuku said last week in Lagos.

Speaking at a one-day Ijaw leaders stakeholders' meeting held in Lagos, Kuku said: "The companies are not only pledging a meagre $30 million for just 3, 000 ex-combatants, they haven't given assurance of employing them.

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Daily Trust check revealed that a total of 26, 358 ex-militants are currently on the Federal Government payroll and trainings. Each is paid N65, 000 on monthly basis. 2, 618 have been slated for training abroad out of which 38 are presently in South Africa while another 212 are in Ghana in six skills acquisition centres.