The apex Socio-cultural Organization of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, Ijaw National Congress INC led by Prof. Benjamin Okaba has caution the Federal Government against the rumor making around to scrap the Presidential Amnesty programme.
The position of INC was made known in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary INC, Engr. Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha warned that scrapping of the Presidential Amnesty programme would amount to youths attempting to go back to the days of militancy in the Niger Delta region.
According to the INC, “It is imperative to note that the Presidential Amnesty programme (PAP) which was conceived after the ex-agitators surrendered their arms in 2009, had brought about sustainable peace in the Niger Delta and vast improvement of uninterrupted oil exploration and exploitation in the region.
While congratulating and applauding Maj-Gen Barry Ndiomu (rtd ) on his appointment as the Interim Administrator of (PAP) INC said it was deserving, considering the vast experience in command and staff duties acquired by Ndiomu during service in the Nigeria Army.
INC also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment and expresses confidence in the capacity of the appointee to deliver on the mandate of the Programme.
However, INC strongly advised Gen Ndiomu (rtd) not to play to the gallery but uphold the tenet , the vision behind the programme and strive to handle the task as a huge responsibility placed on his shoulders with utmost diligence to take the Amnesty programme to the next level.
Therefore, INC enjoined the Federal Government to seek ways to strengthen the Amnesty programme and make it more relevant to the ex-agitators, the impacted communities and the Niger Delta region in general.
(Courtesy: Daily Independent)
