The interim administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Maj. Gen. Barry Ndiomu (retd), has responded to questions on possible threats from splinter ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region.
Ndiomu, who appeared on Channels Television in Abuja on Wednesday, said: “As at the time of disarment, not all armed groups agreed to lay down their arms.”
He noted that it was for this reason that PAP was set up to cater to those who embraced amnesty.
He, however, said that all programmes mapped out, including all vocational training centres across the region, would be completed.
Ndiomu opined that the programme has served its purpose, but added that some areas have not reached their full potential.
He said if the programme can complete these centres, “it can now domicile training of restive youths in the region.”
He lamented the long-standing complaint by international oil companies, IOCs, that youth in the region lack the requisite industry skills for employment, a narrative the amnesty programme “is working hard to change.”
Ndiomu charged state governments in the region to complement the efforts of PAP and other interventionist agencies like the NDDC and NCDMB in creating opportunities for young people.
