Management of Amnesty Programme for Sustainable Livelihood in the Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria: Challenges and Policy Action (Review Completed - Accepted)
Many years of deprivation, marginalization and cheating of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria led to the youth in attempt to find solution to the neglect formed themselves into groups which became aggressive as a result of the use of arms in approach and operation that brought about a near chaos environment in the region. As a response to curb the deplorable security situation in the region, the federal government of Nigeria initiated and pronounced the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme (NDAP). This study attempted to assess the success of the amnesty programme to deliver a sustainable livelihood for the repentant ex-militants and restore peace and security in the region. The study employed questionnaire and interview methods randomly administered in three of the nine states of the region. The study observed reoccurrence of crime, high consumption of illicit drugs, threat to local government council executives and intra/inter cult conflicts among others in the region. Its recommendations included decentralization of the amnesty rehabilitation camps and adoption of definite goals for the amnesty programe in order to achieve sustainable peace and livelihood in the region
Keywords: Amnesty, Niger-Delta, Nigeria, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Livelihood