Lawmaker demands increased financial support for PAP
Port Harcourt -- The lawmaker representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sen. Seriake Dickson, has called for greater financial support from the Federal Government to the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP.
Dickson, who is a former governor of Bayelsa State, explained that more funds for the PAP will enable the programme to continue its ongoing scheme for exagitators in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting with the pioneer coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, and the incumbent Acting Coordinator, Maj.-Gen Barry Ndiomu (Rtd), Dickson kicked against the planned termination of the programme by the government.
The lawmaker, who pledged support for the continuation of the Amnesty programme, also passed a vote of confidence on Barry Ndiomu to handle the challenges facing the programme.
He said: "Arising from complaints and issues by participants, stakeholders and some youths in the Niger Delta region on developments on the Presidential Amnesty Programme, I convened a closeddoor meeting with the pioneer Amnesty coordinator, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, that set up the template of the programme and the current Presidential Adviser, General Ndiomu.
"We believe in the ability of General Ndiomu to pilot and bring to greater fruition, the objectives of the programme as originally conceived.
"We are aware of the challenges, and we believe that with the support and understanding by all, these can be surmounted, and he has the capacity to do so. He has our support, and we call for the support of all beneficiaries and stakeholders of the programme.
"We call for the continuation of the programme and also greater financial support from the Federal government to enable the programme continue with the lofty ongoing programmes of the PAP, e.g the ongoing scholarships which need to continue for the benefit of our people and the country, skills development of the participants, the completion of ongoing construction of training facilities in the region that will help in capacity building and also the prompt payment of stipends and other allowances.”