N’Delta Group Seeks Confirmation of Ndiomu as Substantive PAP Head

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Convener, South-south Reawakening Group and Chairman Board of Trustees, Community Development Committees of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing Areas, Mr Joseph Ambakederimo, has called for the confirmation of Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd) as substantive Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

The Niger Delta activist stated that the innovative strides that had been brought to the management of the amnesty programme by Ndiomu makes his confirmation long overdue.

He listed some of them as the establishment of the Presidential Amnesty Cooperative Society Fund, which is headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge.

He noted that this comes as a buffer for post Amnesty livelihood, with Ndiomu  not being a signatory to the account of the fund.

“There is a funding mechanism for a robust management of the reintegration portion of the programme which is the most critical part of the programme and also viewed by many as a masterstroke.

“ The restructured and timely payment of scholarship to beneficiaries, the continued training of participants in core areas of needs and many other achievements made in a short period confirms Ndiomu is well equipped to deliver as expected.

“This appeal to President Bola Tinubu is coming at a time when the policies he has initiated should be pursued and followed through for continuity.

“The incessant change of the leadership has adversely impacted the programme that would have made tremendous gains in the past before the advent of Ndiomu.

“Therefore it is the opinion of the Board of Trustees and Management of the  Community Development Committees of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing Areas, that there should be less political interference in the management of this laudable programme in order for the innovations brought under the current leadership to crystallize,” he explained.

Ambakederimo reminded Nigerians that the issues that gave birth to the amnesty programme were still very present, although the very critical issue of armed struggle  had been eliminated.