UAE grants 3 years employment visa to 170 ex- militants

UAE grants 3 years employment visa to 170 ex- militants

The post-amnesty programme of the Nigerian Government for ex-militants of the Niger Delta region received a boost on Thursday as the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), granted a three-year employment visa for over 170 youths undergoing six months vocational training in the country.

Areas of Training

The militants are being trained in crane operations, pipeline welding, electrical installations and health safety and environment at the International Centre for Non- Violence and Peace Development in UAE.

According to the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Matters, Kingsley Kuku, the three-year employment visa is part of the collaboration between the government of the UAE and Nigeria to support the amnesty programme, even as plans are afoot to secure job placement for the youths in oil and gas companies in the UAE and other Middle East countries after the completion of their vocational programme.

Kuku explained that the employment visa was the first any country in the world would be granting the ex-militants under the programme.

NP/Adekusibe/Ekata