The Federal Government has rescinded its earlier proposal to end the Presidential Amnesty Program in response to objections from Niger Delta stakeholders.
This came as jubilation permeated the region.
The Interim Administrator of PAP, Maj-Gen Barry Ndiomu (retd.), confirmed the government’s new position on Saturday.
Ndiomu, in 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.
Ndiomu however said all responsible stakeholders share the view that the programme needs to be totally refocused and restructured to make it more sustainable.
He further said the government weighed the arguments presented to them, based on their merits, and decided to suspend the planned shutdown.
Ndiomu said the federal government’s willingness to retrace its steps demonstrated the sensitivity of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to issues affecting the Niger Delta.
The statement reads, “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.”