By Ebi Kesiena
Presidential Amnesty Programme has denied stopping the payment of monthly stipends to ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region, describing the allegation as unfounded and malicious.
The PAP Interim Administrator, Maj. Gen. Barry Tariye Ndiomu (retd) said in a statement on Friday signed by his media assistant, Thomas Peretu that there was no iota of truth in the rumors.
“There is no iota of truth in the rumors. The allegation is unfounded , baseless and at best a concoction from the facile imagination of mischief makers whose intention is to cause disaffection and bring the hard earned reputation of the Interim Administrator into disrepute.
“This story is a deliberate attempt intended to derail the focus and attention of the General. Therefore, it stands to be condemned by every well-meaning Niger Delta citizen”.
The monthly stipend is part of programmes designed for ex-agitators in the oil rich Niger Delta region who voluntarily surrendered their weapons to the Federal Government, an agitation that stemmed from years of alleged marginalisation, environmental degradation and other unfair practices against host communities.
Maj. Gen. Barry Tariye Ndiomu (retd) highlighted that there was no embargo placed on payment of stipends to beneficiaries, even as he noted that funds for payment of Oct stipend had since been disbursed to appropriate quarters for payment since of 24th.
According to him, any delays in receipt of funds could only be due to administrative procedures as his office has since released funds.
He urged the ex-agitators, general public and all stakeholders to ignore the report alleging a cease in payment.
“We use this medium to assure the ex-agitators and indeed the stake holders that the Interim Administrator does not and will not stop the payment of stipends to the usual beneficiaries as at when due.
“We therefore admonish the public and critical stakeholders to disregard and ignore the rumor because it does not represent the reality on ground.
“Management will not hesitate to take decisive legal action against any individual or group of persons whose intention is to malign, misrepresent or obscure the good works of the new Interim Administrator.
“Please note that the management of PAP is on course with regards to its obligation to delegates as it assures the ex-agitators that their accounts will be credited by the various banks in the next few days” the statement added.
Maj. Gen. Idiomu had recently paid a visit to the Amayanabo of Ancient Okochiri Kingdom, HRM, Ateke Michael Tom (JP), (the Sekuro of Niger Delta) in his Palace at Okochiri town, in Okirika local government area of Rivers State.
He assured the traditional ruler that the federal government intends to transform the Presidential Amnesty Programme into something better in the future.
