A Civil Society Group, Niger Delta Progressive Youth Forum (NDPYF) has appealed to the federal government not to scrap the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
The group urged the government to take a holistic view of what the programme had achieved since its inception and what could happen if it was scrapped.
The Progressive Youth Forum in a press statement signed by its National President, Mr Napoleon Ehiremen, said the establishment of the programme has helped in no small way in restoring peace and stability to oil explorations in the region.
Ehiremen added that the federal government should focus more on appointing people that are not politically tainted to lead the organisation than contemplating scrapping it.
According to the group, “the creation of the Programme by the Federal Government under the leadership of Late president Musa Yar’adua was the best decision taken to arrest the deteriorating insecurity in the region adding that the laudible programme must not be allowed to die as the consequences were better imagined.
NDPYF in all humility and sense of purpose wishes to advise the federal government to avoid appointing politicians or anybody affiliated to any militant camp as it has affected the performance of the programme and also created needless tension, rambling, bickering and rivalries among stakeholders in the region.
While cautioning against politicizing the affairs of the organisation and using its funds for political settlements, the group further advised the President to shun political interference and consider Civil Society Organizations as neutral area to make appointments into the programme.
“The Presidential Amnesty Programme has struggled to achieve the little it has so far because it has become too political in its dealings. Essentially allowing politicians to be deeply involved in the activities of organization is poor and this regrettably has impacted negatively in the discharge of its responsibilities to the ex agitators and the region at large.
“Also the organisation’s funds are being diverted to areas that are not under its terms of contract or the reasons for which it was set up” he said.
The NDPYF however enjoined the President to consider his next appointment from among the civil societies and non- governmental organizations that have distinguished themselves in the pursuance of peace in the region, adding that this would create a level of neutrality and enhance performance in the discharge of its responsibilities.
“There are civil society groups and NGOs that have promoted peace in the region, they are not politicians nor militants but sincere advocates for peace, they know the people and the people trust them.
The group further stressed that programme is well positioned to maintain and promote peace in the region through the training and rehabilitation of ex-militants, adding that what the organisation need is new and untainted individual with fresh ideas to further make it effective and result orienting.
