Leaders and stakeholders from the Niger Delta region have appealed to the President Bola Tinubu-led government to maintain the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) in order to uphold peace in the oil-producing states of the country.
This call was made by the Pan Niger Delta Forum during a meeting in Abuja, where they reviewed the performance of the PAP since its establishment. The meeting allowed beneficiaries’ representatives to voice their concerns about existing challenges.
In a statement, the leaders expressed the following points:
They urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to prioritize the PAP, which plays a significant role in supporting the crucial oil and gas sector that constitutes a major source of national revenue.
The leaders recognized the various training and reintegration initiatives carried out by the PAP and emphasized the need for sustained funding and enhanced efforts.
They emphasized inclusivity within the PAP, urging that all duly accredited participants be covered and all approved benefits be fully disbursed.
Commendation was given to the Interim Administrator of the program, Gen Barry Ndiomu (retd), for his effective management and administration, with a recommendation to establish liaison offices in the Niger Delta states to facilitate better execution of the program’s activities.
The leaders highlighted the importance of a unified liaison point at the PAP headquarters to swiftly address arising issues.
The communique urged the youth in the Niger Delta to continue embracing peace and collaborating with the government to ensure successful implementation of the PAP and other developmental initiatives aimed at addressing the region’s socio-economic challenges.
Signatories to the communique included Godknows Igali, Secretary of the Board of Trustees of PANDEF, and Alfred Mulade, leader of the National Representative Council, among others.