Ex-agitators to N’Delta Stakeholders: Stop Unnecessary Petitions and Protests against Dikio
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The Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI), the umbrella body of the first phase leaders in the Presidential Amnesty Programme, has warned critical stakeholders in the region against unnecessary petitions and protests against Col.Milland Dikio , RTD, Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme.
The LPCDI said Dikio’s laudable programmes and plans to advance the Presidential Amnesty Programme in particular and the Niger Delta region in general is examplary and therefore, should be allowed to execute his laudable plans and projects for the betterment of the beneficiaries in the Programme.
A statement signed by its National President, Chief Reuben Wilson a.k.a Gen Pastor and National Secretary, Comrade Nature Kieghe and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, said the unnecessary petitions and protests are seriously distracting the Interim Administrator and not good for the collective interest of the beneficiaries of the scheme.
According to the satement the programme has witnessed too many frequent leadership changes due to such unnecessary petitions and protests, saying that this has led to sudden truncation of the plans and projects of the past Coordinators of PAP and has also slowed down the pace of implementation of the mandate of the Programme.
The statement said : “The frequent changes have led to every new Coordinator starting afresh with new plans and projects while abandoning those of his predecessors. This has greatly hindered the stability and effective implementation of the mandate of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
” It has therefore, become imperative for these unnecessary petitions and protests to stop forthwith, so that Dikio can concentrate on his job and diligently execute his plans and projects for the betterment of the beneficiaries of the programme.
“The frequent changes of Coordinators of the Presidential Amnesty Programme isn’t in the best interest of the Niger Delta region and therefore, should be condemned by all patriotic critical stakeholders of the region.
“We recognize and respect the fundamental rights of people to express themselves who feel aggrieved by the actions of the Interim Administrator but such should be done constructively and in a way that promotes unity and decorum. Such aggrieved persons should endeavour to reach out to the Interim Administrator and resolve such grievances amicably. We need unity and peace to accelerate the holistic development of the Niger Delta region.
” We strongly commend and appreciate those beneficiaries who have pending issues about their monthly stipends, training, empowerment, e.t.c., with the Presidential Amnesty Office but have demonstrated patience and decorum in handling such issues. We commend you greatly for your peaceful disposition, sacrifices and patience.”
The statement expressed profound thanks to President Buhari, the National Security Adviser and the National Assembly for supporting and sustaining the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
” We are truly grateful and we say a big thank you. Mr President’s positive disposition and support to the programme and for making it more responsive to the yearnings of the beneficiaries is unprecedented.
” We also commend other critical stakeholders who have contributed immensely to the success of the Presidential Amnesty Programme particularly the administration of the current Interim Administrator.
However, we should endeavour to emulate the people of the North-East with respect to the way they have conducted themselves so far concerning the operations and activities of the North-East Development Commission which is a similar interventionist agency doesn’t suffer same fate as the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
‘ The North-East Development Commission is quietly executing its mandate for the betterment of the North-East, without being distracted by unnecessary petitions and protests that could warrant such frequent leadership changes.
” We hereby plead with all Niger Deltans and critical stakeholders to work together in unity and facilitate the accelerated development of the region, instead of slowing down its pace of development with unnecessary petitions and protests. We should bury our differences, jettison our personal interests and work for the collective interest of the Niger Delta region,” the statement concluded.
