PH Mundial – Port Harcourt Online Newspaper News Across The Region
Related Articles
By Amos Okioma, Yenagoa
Maj. Gen. Barry Tariye Ndiomu, the interim administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has reiterated his intention to “engage in a mutually beneficial relationship with the Ministry of Niger Delta.”
Gen. Ndiomu, who disclosed this during a visit to the minister of Niger Delta, Chief Umanah Umanah, hinted that the need for such a relationship is made more imperative due to the enormity of the assignment given him by the presidency.
In a press statement signed by his special adviser, Thomas Ndanusa Peretu, the interim administrator said his mandate is to wind down on the programme in tandem with international best practices.
He noted that programmes, such as amnesty, are not meant to last forever but are established as stop gap programmes for a given period of time.
According to Ndiomu, the Niger Delta Amnesty initiative was supposed to have been scrapped since 2015 but government in its wisdom felt the need to extend its lifespan to embrace more ex-agitators, adding that this does not mean the programme should remain in perpetuity.
The initiative is 13 years old today which is over and above the initial 5-year threshold, he said.
He however noted that the programme will not be halted abruptly, adding that such a decision may bring about some forms of economic dislocation with an attendant negative reaction from stakeholders.
The interim administrator noted that there is a deliberate, purposeful and systematic approach to stagger the process of disengagement in the interest of its target audience.
He revealed that his dream is to create an alternative, a more sustainable agency that will cater to the specific interests of the people especially those of the impacted communities in the Niger Delta.
The interim administrator observed that the body will soon embark on a strategic advocacy programme to seek the buy-in and support of critical stakeholders as well as the ex-agitators.
In response, the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Umanah Umanah, said the ministry is willing to support PAP to achieve its mandate as directed by the presidency.
He however cautioned that concerted efforts must be made to ensure that the Amnesty Programme is not scrapped without providing an alternative body to cushion the effects of the backlash from the ex-agitators.
He advised the interim administrator to seek the buy-in of all interest groups within the Niger Delta region to avoid unnecessary reaction from the people.
The minister admonished the new management to put in place a mechanism to audit the activities of the programme so as to ascertain the financial health of the institution.
Chief Umanah conceded the fact that interventionist programmes are not meant to subsist perpetually, however, he advised that the cessation of the programme must be given a human face.
“As a sister agency established to address the development deficiencies of the Niger Delta region, PAP should count on its support as always,” he said.
Chief Umanah was accompanied by the All Progressives Congress south south zonal chairman.
On the team of the interim administrator were Mr. Eustace BellGam, the chief of staff, Fly Lt Terry Ajobena, the technical assistant to the IA, Mr. Wilfred Musa, head of Reintegration, Lt Col. S.S. Ringim, the S.A. Logistics and Security. Others are Ita Henshaw, S.A. Documentation, Utibe Efiok, protocol and Pastor Nature of Stratcom.
