The Ijaw National Congress (INC), has warned the Federal Government against purported plans to scrap the Presidential Amnesty Program.
According to the apex body in Ijaw nation, scrapping the program would amount to the rejuvenation of unrest in the Niger Delta.
This was contained in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Engr. Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, on Sunday.
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The statement, which also commended the appointment of Barry Ndiomu reads;
“The Ijaw National Congress (INC) congratulates Maj-Gen Barry Ndiomu (rtd) as the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP)
“The apex socio-cultural organisation of the Ijaw ethnic nationality led by Prof Benjamin Okaba applauds the appointment of the Odoni – born retired military officer as deserving, considering his vast experience in command and staff duties.
“INC commends President Muhammadu Buhari for this appointment and expresses confidence in the capacity of the appointee to deliver on the mandate of the Program.
“INC urged Gen Ndiomu to strive to handle the huge responsibility placed on his shoulders with utmost diligence to take the Amnesty Program to the next level.
“The INC wishes to use this medium to caution the Federal Government against the rumoured plan to scrap the Presidential Amnesty Program, as it would amount to attempting to go back to the days of militancy in the Niger Delta region.
“It is imperative to note that, the Program, which was conceived after the ex-agitators surrendered their arms in 2009, had brought about sustainable peace in the Niger Delta and development in the country following uninterrupted oil exploration and exploitation in the region
“The INC, therefore, call on the Federal Government to seek ways to strengthen the Amnesty Program and make it more relevant to the ex-agitators, the impacted communities and the Niger Delta region in general.”
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