Following opposition from stakeholders in the Niger Delta region, the Federal Government has rescinded its earlier plan to terminate the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
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.
