PAP, NCDMB collaborate to train, empower ex-militants

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have agreed to build the capacity of ex-militants benefitting from the amnesty programme.

Delegates from the board and amnesty office reached the agreement to take advantage of local content opportunities in the oil and gas sector at a crucial meeting held at the weekend in NCDMB’s Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Interim Administrator of PAP, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), enumerated the vision and strategic plans of the programme under him, saying everything was being done to reposition the scheme to achieve its original mandate of security and development of the region.

He explained that as a deliberate arrangement, there was an ongoing interface with key stakeholders to get them involved in overall transformation of PAP and its beneficiaries, as well, so as to get the desired results.

Dikio in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Nneotaobase Egbe, said the management decided to approach NCDMB because the strategic position of the board would be an added boost in the training of ex-agitators to become entrepreneurs and employers of labour.

He stressed that the amnesty programme under his watch was determined to turn ex-agitators into active economic players, no longer depending on monthly stipends and handouts for survival.

The PAP boss further highlighted the role of the NCDMB in realising the Niger Delta Recovery Plan (NDRP).

“We assure NCDMB of the commitment of the PAP to be willing partners to address the core issues in the region and the general aspirations of the people all geared towards peace and development,” he said.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Simbi Wabote, thanked Dikio for the visit and assured that the board was willing to collaborate and synergise with the PAP in achieving its mandate.

He expressed optimism that the possible areas of collaborations would deepen and strengthen cordial relationships between both agencies in the interest of the Niger Delta and the country.