PAP advocates improvised empowerment model for ex-militants

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has said that its improvised youth empowerment model remains the best approach to sustainable rehabilitation of former militants.

PAP’s Interim Administrator, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), who made the comment, disclosed that the new model of empowerment, which would transform delegates into skilled entrepreneurs and employable citizens, would contribute meaningfully to the economy of the Niger Delta region, and the nation at large.

Speaking to journalists on the new model, Dikio said that PAP planned to partner organizations that are ready and capable of training its delegates, employing successful trainees and mentoring them to achieve post- training proficiency.

He explained that after the training, the delegates would be encouraged to branch out or own subsidiaries of the parent company. “The catch is that since the delegates are potential employees, they will be well trained to fit into the company offering the training,” he added.

While remarking that those who do not make it would have themselves to blame for a missed opportunity, the interim administrator expressed the hope that “this will curb multiplicity of the same kind of empowerment and substandard empowerment packages that are not in line with the vision for the amnesty programme.”

His added: “We have designed a wholistic high quality empowerment package that will reduce delegates’ dependence on monthly stipends. We cannot continue to say we are empowering our delegates and they cannot boast of anything to do or even find suitable jobs that suit the skills they have learnt.

“This is the model that is used by most businesses and organizations in the South – East and this has proven to be highly successful and effective.”

The PAP administrator, however, declared that vendors who wish to start their training and empowerment programmes for beneficiaries must obtain a letter of approval before commencement.

Dikio assured delegates that the presidential amnesty programme is currently working out the processes that will ensure that they are not short-changed or deprived of their opportunities.