By Eseoghene Emuke
Traditional rulers in the oil-rich Niger Delta region have backed efforts being taken by the Interim Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Major General Barry Ndiomu rtd, towards repositioning the agency for efficient delivery.
The royal father also passed a vote of confidence on Ndiomu’s leadership and called on stakeholders to join him to ensure that PAP deliver on its establishment mandate to the people of the region.
The vote of confidence was contained ain a statement signed by the convener of the Traditional Rulers Stakeholders meeting, His Majesty, Capt. Dr. King Joseph I. Timiyan JP, Torobobo I, the Ebenanawei of Ogulagha Kingdom & Chairman, Delta State Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum, and interim secretary of the body and the Ovie of Great Idjerhe Kingdom, His Majesty, King Obukowho Monday Whiskey, Udurhie 1.
According to the statement, “Arising from an enlarged Traditional Rulers Stakeholders meeting with the interim coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Major General Barry Ndiomu rtd, it was agreed that all differences between PAP office and stakeholders be resolved amicably without resort to petitions and an orchestrated blackmail.
“The Chairman, Delta State Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum and Paramount Ruler of the rich oil/gas producing Kingdom, HM Elder Capt. Dr. King Joseph I. Timiyan, Torobobo I, the Ebenanawei of Ogulagha Kingdom in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, advised that henceforth all critical stakeholders should work together to promote the peaceful wellbeing of the PAP programme.
“The meeting with detailed briefing from the Presidential Amnesty Coordinator, expressed satisfaction with steps so far taken aimed at repositioning the operational efficiency, programme sustainability and making sure that desired result is achieved are laudable and should be supported.
“The fora which drew Royal Fathers from Delta, Balyesa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River resolved to closely monitor happenings at the PAP office to ensure that the programme benefits all stakeholders instead of selected few.
“Several Royal Fathers took turn to profile solutions to the unending wrangling in the PAP office and advised the PAP Coordinator to continue with his revolutionary transformation agenda aimed at repositioning the programme for better service delivery.
“The meeting passed a vote of confidence on General Barry Ndiomu rtd, for all genuine efforts to ensure that the PAP programme is operated transparently and benefit more critical Stakeholders than a secluded operation hitherto practice in the PAP office.”
