Ex-Niger Delta leaders and beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the region have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for allocating N65bn to the amnesty budget.

They also gave the President a pass mark for approving the commencement of the Maritime University in Okerenkoko, Delta State.

The ex-militant leaders, comprising three phases of the PAP, in a statement on Thursday by the Bayelsa State Chairman, Mr. Bull Ifiemi, said their recent meeting with Coordinator of PAP, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd.), was fruitful.

They said through the meeting, they were able to strategise on the way forward for the beneficiaries of the programme.

The ex-agitators told Southern City News that the meeting was also an avenue for them to pass a vote of confidence on President Buhari and Boroh on their landmark efforts to bring about development to the Niger Delta.

They further applauded the far-reaching peace advocacy efforts of the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo,  adding that Osinbajo’s efforts in ensuring the empowerment of the youth were yielding positive results in the region.

They noted that the Vice-President’s efforts and tours of the region had significantly contributed to the current peace being enjoyed in the region.

The statement read in part, “We commend the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig. Gen. Paul Boroh for his continuous peace campaigns and result-oriented negotiations.”