Presidential amnesty programme rates self high on successes

Management of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) yesterday disclosed that the Federal Government’s amnesty initiative has been very successful.

It said the PAP ensured peace in the Niger Delta region through its successful interventions, adding that peace in the region resulted in a total earnings of N7.3 trillion from oil export in 2017, up from N5.68 trillion in 2016.

While describing the programme as a huge success, it said the initiative, however, become a victim of its own successes as some Nigerians have come to view it as the body that should rectify the age-long challenges of the Niger Delta region and bring development to every nook and cranny.

The PAP said in a statement that while it welcomes criticisms and is open to suggestions, its critics should assess it based on its mandate and not what individuals or groups want it to do.

It stated that as part of its successes, it ended the armed conflicts in the Niger Delta, which was its primary mandate and established a regular forum with the leaders of the beneficiaries.

This, it stated, ensured effective interaction and communication leading to a peaceful resolution of issues in the region.

Its spokesman, Owei Lakemfa, said in the statement that it also engaged the beneficiaries of the programme, youths, traditional leaders and representative organisations like the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) in continuous dialogue, which was partly responsible for the peace in the region.