The Ijaw National Congress, INC, led by Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, has warned the Federal Government against scrapping the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP.
INC’s National Publicity Secretary, Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, warned in a statement that scrapping PAP would amount to youths attempting to return to the days of militancy in the Niger Delta.
According to INC, “It is imperative to note that the PAP, which was conceived after the ex-agitators surrendered their arms in 2009, had brought about sustainable peace in Niger Delta and vast improvement of uninterrupted oil exploration and exploitation in the region.
“While congratulating and applauding Maj-Gen Barry Ndiomu (retd) on his appointment as the Interim Administrator of PAP, INC said it was deserving, considering the vast experience in command and staff duties acquired by Ndiomu during his service in the Nigerian Army.
“INC also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment and expressed confidence in the capacity of the appointee to deliver on the mandate of the Programme.
“However, INC strongly advised Ndiomu not to play to the gallery but uphold the tenet and vision behind the programme and strive to handle the task as a huge responsibility placed on his shoulders with utmost diligence to take the Amnesty programme to the next level.
“INC, meanwhile, enjoined the Federal Government to seek ways to strengthen the Amnesty programme and make it more relevant to the ex-agitators, the impacted communities and Niger Delta in general.”