With his appointment as the new helmsman at the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, the congratulations have flowed in fast and steady for new Interim Administrator Major General [rtd] Barry Tariye Ndiomu. These have come mostly from different groups of ex-militants who have benefitted from the PAP currently in its 13th year.
Marking a departure from the past, where in the past seven years, heads of the PAP have been removed unceremoniously, including Brigadier Gen Tarila Boroh and Prof Charles Dokubo in the midst of the congratulatory messages, is one from the immediate past Interim Administrator, Colonel[rtd] Milland Dickson Dikio . In his message Dikio stated that,“For the two years that I served as Interim Administrator, our mission to transform our ex-agitators to become net contributors to the economy of the Niger Delta and the nation at large has been firmly set on course.
“This foundation will doubtless serve my successor well in giving effect to the next phase of the President’s agenda for the PAP in particular and the Niger Delta region.
“I, therefore, warmly congratulate the newly appointed Interim Administrator, Major-General Barry Tariye Ndiomu (rtd), to whom, the President, in his wisdom has entrusted the next phase of this critical national assignment.
“I urge all stakeholders to avail him the same support and cooperation extended to me, while praying for GOD’s speed and wisdom for him, as he engages on this onerous task”.
While thanking God for his grace, Dikio expressed profound gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for giving him the opportunity to serve the country.
He said: “I wish to also place on record my immense appreciation to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd) for his direction and peerless support throughout the period of my service as the IA.
Dikio pointed out that,“The clear repositioning of the programme, resulting in the relative stability of the Niger Delta region would not have been possible without the leadership and unwavering support of the President, NSA, Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the ex-agitators and key stakeholders in the region.
“I deeply appreciate my team of special assistants and team of very dedicated support staff who worked tirelessly to return the PAP to its original mandate”.
Yet, in the midst of all this, it is unclear the direction the programme will take amidst concerns that Gen Ndiomu was only appointed to wind down the programme which was instituted in 2009 by the Musa Yar Adua administration as a strategy, to halt the militancy in the Niger Delta that led crude oil production dropping to less than 800barrels per day.
With his announcement as Interim Administrator, concern about the end of the programme has been triggered afresh. With no statement issuing from the IA’s office on the status of the programme, speculation rules.
.- By Grace Odiri
