Niger Delta women seek inclusion in PIA implementation

• PAP’s boss pledges more involvement in peace process
Women from Niger Delta communities have called for inclusion in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), citing marginalisation and exclusion from benefits.The demand was made at a Gender Justice Roundtable organised by the Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (NDEBUMOG) in collaboration with Oxfam.  

HOWEVER, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has promised the involvement of more women in the Niger Delta peace process.He said that his administration will ensure the inclusion of more Niger Delta women in the implementation of the PAP mandate.
He also stated that the women in the region would be an integral part of the consultation process initiated by the PAP Office for its peace-building efforts to foster sustainable peace, stability and economic growth in the area.
   
Otuaro spoke while addressing the Niger Delta women at a meeting in Warri, Delta State, with the theme, ‘Niger Delta Women Empowerment: A Panacea for Peace, Stability and Economic Growth in The Region’ on Tuesday.
   
The meeting was part of an expanded Niger Delta stakeholders’ engagement by the PAP Office with traditional rulers, opinion leaders, women groups and youth bodies, leaders and members of the various phases, among others.
   
Among the women in attendance were frontline activist and former spokesperson for the Ijaw Republican Assembly, AnnKio Briggs; CNN African Journalist of the Year award winner, Ibiba Don-Pedro; President of Ijaw Women Connect, Rosemary Naigba-Oduone; First National Women Leader of Ijaw Youth Council, Rosebella Jackson and Second National Women Leader of IYC, Dr. Lolo Fubara Sax-Hailsham.
   
Others include Philomena Onokpuvie, Primrose Kpokposei, Dr. Beauty Agbaiboror, Madam Godfrey Bebenimibo, Caroline Ene, Vero Smooth, Ghana Pondi, Tonbra Kilopirite and Beauty Warizowei, among others.