The Federal Government has abandoned its earlier proposal to end the Presidential Amnesty Program in response to objections from Niger Delta stakeholders.
Major General Barry Ndiomu (retired), the interim PAP administrator, announced the government’s new stance on Saturday.
Ndiomu praised the federal government for hearing the voice of important regional players who were adamantly opposed to ending the plan in a statement released by PAP media strategist Donu Kogbara.
Ndiomu, however, claimed that in order to make the program more viable, all responsible parties agree that it needs to be completely refocused and reformed.
He added that the government chose to postpone the scheduled shutdown after carefully weighing the arguments put forth to them.
Ndiomu claimed that the federal government’s readiness to reverse course showed that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was sensitive to problems impacting the Niger Delta.
The statement reads, “The Federal Government has heard the concerns of Niger Delta people and, with our best interests at heart, has decided to shelve an unwanted termination agenda and transform PAP into a more sanitized, transparent, efficient, robust and sustainable entity.
“The decision was taken after the feelings of stakeholders and people of the region were communicated to the government and proves that the Buhari’s administration will not do anything to jeopardize the peace in the Niger Delta.
“We call on all stakeholders to sustain the peace in the region and help the new administration reform, refocus and reposition the programme for optimum performance.”
