South South Leaders Laud Activities of Presidential Amnesty Programme

South South Leaders forum and other critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta region say the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has brought relative and sustainable peace for oil and gas activities to thrive, and boost the economy.

This is contained in a communique issued at the end of a meeting of leaders of the Niger Delta Region with Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, beneficiaries in Abuja.

The resolutions were jointly adopted by the elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark, PAP Interim Administrator, retired Major General Barry Ndiomu, representatives of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the Ijaw National Congress (INC); ex-agitators and other prominent stakeholders of the Niger Delta region.

It reaffirms that the Amnesty Programme, which was instituted by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2009, has played a major role in bringing peace, security and stability to the Niger Delta region, which at that time was challenged by an upsurge of militant activities.

It adds that the meeting provided a platform for the stakeholders to critically review the workings of PAP since its inception.

The communique enjoins all beneficiaries to wholly embrace new initiatives to deepen socio-economic impact through the establishment of the PAP Cooperative Scheme, initiated by PAP Interim Administrator.

It notes that PAP has carried out various trainings and reintegration initiatives and urged that the Programme be sustained with greater vigour and funding.

It calls on youths of the Niger Delta to sustainably embrace peace and work with the government to ensure effective implementation of PAP initiatives aimed at addressing the socio-economic and developmental challenges of the region.

The communique
calls on the federal government to accord special attention to the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which has remained a major booster to the critical oil and gas industry, from which the country earns most of its revenue.

“We Call for the Amnesty Programme to “be inclusive, to cover all properly accredited delegates, and improved conditions for its implementation, as regards welfare of beneficiaries” in line with the economic realities of the country”.

“We also want the establishment of Liaison Offices in the Niger Delta states to ensure effective implementation of PAP initiatives and the establishment of a single window liaison at the PAP headquarters for the purpose of resolving issues brought before the PAP management.

The communique was jointly signed by Dr. Godknows Igali, Secretary of Board of Trustees (BOT), PANDEF; Dr. Alfred Mulade, National Secretary, PANDEF; Dr. Ken Robinson, National Publicity Secretary, PANDEF;

Others are Dr. Prince Anyanate Kio, Leader, National Representative Council of the Ijaw National Congress, Worldwide;  Ebi Wodu, National Secretary, Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide; Ms. Annkio Briggs, Critical Stakeholder; Chief Kennedy Odiowei National Financial Secretary (INC) and others.

Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji