By Emmanuel Nduka
The Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj. Gen. Barry Ndiomu has been getting support from key political figures across the Niger Delta region.
The most recent comes from former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, and former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Timi Alaibe.
Both have declared support for Gen. Ndiomu, insisting that they have confidence in his ability to run the Amnesty Office effectively to the benefit of the region, the Federal Government and the entire country.
Senator Dickson and Chief Alaibe who spoke shortly after a meeting at the residence of the Senator at his Maitama residence in Abuja on Friday, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno, for the appointment of Ndiomu to pilot the affairs of the PAP.
The pair called on stakeholders, beneficiaries and youth groups across the Niger Delta region to give the requisite support to the leadership of Ndiomu at the PAP in the interest of the region.
Senator Dickson and Alaibe also appealed to the Presidency to give the required financial support to enable the new PAP leader actualize the execution of the lofty programmes of the PAP, such as the important scholarship programme, skill acquisition, development and prompt payment of stipends to beneficiaries.
“We declare support for the continuation of the PAP, call on the beneficiaries and stakeholders for support and understanding for the Interim Administrator of the Amnesty Programme, Maj. Gen. Barry Ndiomu, (retd).
“We also thank the President, Muhammad and NSA for his appointment.
“We believe and we trust in the ability of Gen Ndiomu to drive the process and the assignment that has been given to him and he has our support in doing so.
“We call on the Federal Government to give him and the Presidential Amnesty Programme all the necessary support, especially financial, to enable him continue with all the lofty programs that the Amnesty program is running, particularly scholarship, skills acquisition and development and payment of stipends as at when due.
“Finally, we call on the stakeholders, beneficiaries and youths of the region to give him the necessary support and to refrain from distractive activities as the new interim Administrator is addressing all issues of interest and concern to them,” they stated.
In November, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, spoke glowingly about the Interim Administrator.
Sylva lauded the focused, transparent and effective manner with which the PAP boss has been administering the Federal Government’s Amnesty Programme since his appointment in September this year.
During a courtesy call to the headquarters of PAP in Abuja, Sylva went straight into a 30-minute close-door meeting with Ndiomu to deliberate on how to lift the lives of the people of Niger Delta above poverty and make them major contributors to the national economy, especially ex-militants and people of impacted communities of the region.
“I want to encourage you and tell you that you have started well at PAP. At least, the vibes we are getting (on your administration) is very positive. I want to encourage you to continue all you are doing. You have my support,” Sylva stated.
