By NAN
The Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Retired Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu has called on ex-agitators to resist the temptation of being used as thugs to subvert election processes.
Ndioma made the call when the leadership of the Third Phase of the PAP led by its National Chairman, Mr Elaye Slaboh, paid him a solidarity visit on Friday in Abuja.
He urged them to go all out and vote according to their conscience and abide by the tenets of democracy in their respective areas.
The PAP boss said it would be a sad development to see any of them engaged in electoral malfeasance because of financial and other inducements.
Ndiomu stressed on the need for people of the Niger Delta to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He further explained that the ongoing efforts by Tinubu to sustain the PAP and make it more productive, needed to be encouraged by people of the region.
He added that the Tinubu’s administration had shown tremendous efforts to adequately and consistently fund the programme.
“We need to understand that these are financially difficult times and that the Federal Government is doing its best.
“The PAP administration is also working with an unchanged budget in addressing the needs of the ex-agitators. These are efforts worth applauding.
“I implored you to also cherish the efforts of the management team of the PAP for the various policies, innovations and initiatives introduced to address the welfare needs of beneficiaries,’’ he said.
He explained that the programme was not established as a social welfare scheme for the region.
Ndiomu said it was rather floated to address the needs of ex-agitators through formal and non-formal education, skills, and empowerment programmes to reintegrate them back into society.
“It is true that the programme derailed at some point before my taking over as the Administrator, and this is being corrected through the various policy reform initiatives.
“But it is regrettable that some of the ex-agitators who are supposed to be direct beneficiaries of these policies are ignorantly supporting the old ways which failed to add value to the programme”.
“On the scholarship scheme, I want to assure you that ex-agitators who were interested in furthering their education will be considered on merit.
“The individual universities have spelt-out criteria for admitting students into various disciplines in their respective institutions.
“Considering the age of most ex-agitators, what would be more beneficial to you is an empowerment programme such as the PAP cooperative loan scheme, designed to unlock their entrepreneurial potentials.
“Also PACOSOL is deliberately designed to end over dependency and over reliance on monthly stipends. The cooperative is sustainable, and I will do my best to strengthen it for the good of beneficiaries.” Ndiomu said.
Ndiomu expressed hope that the `Third Phase’ under Slaboh would usher in peace, show more understanding and work closely with the management of PAP to achieve the desired objectives of the programme.
Earlier, Slaboh had intimated that the visit was to appreciate Ndiomu for the good work he was doing as Interim Administrator in the PAP.
“The cooperative scheme is a novelty which has been widely accepted and more ex-agitators are eager to subscribe. While those who have received their loans have established businesses, others have up scaled their existing enterprises.”
Slaboh assured that the exco of the `Third Phase Ex-agitators’ under the new leadership would work closely with the management team of the PAP to realise set objectives.
He added that it would also take advantage of the existing opportunities such as scholarships, empowerment, and training programmes to improve the welfare of their members.
High point of the visit was the presentation of a plaque to Ndiomu in recognition of his efforts in steering the PAP towards safe Harbor. (NAN)