FG suspends plan to terminate amnesty programme

The Federal Government has rescinded its earlier plan to terminate the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which was met with stiff opposition from stakeholders in the Niger Delta region.

Interim Administrator of PAP, Maj-Gen Barry Ndiomu (retd.) made the announcement on Saturday, November 5. 

Ndiomu in a statement issued by media consultant of the PAP, Donu Kogbara, hailed the federal government for listening to the voice of critical stakeholders in the region who strongly opposed to stopping the scheme.

He also said that it demonstrates the sensitivity of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to issues affecting the Niger Delta.

The statement read; 

“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.”