Hardship: Amnesty Programme Unveils Plan to Set Up More Vocational Skills Centres in Niger Delta
- Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd) has said he will complete and activate all the vocational centres in the Niger Delta region before the end of his administration
- Ndiomu, the interim administrator of the amnesty programme, made this pledge in an interview with journalists in his office on Wednesday in Abuja
- He urged governments and other stakeholders to collaborate with other agencies to create opportunities for youth empowerment and socio-economic development in the region
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
FCT, Abuja - Amid the current economic crisis bedevilling Nigeria, the leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has expressed commitment to completing and activating all vocational training centres across the Niger Delta region.
Source: Facebook
This is to help the amnesty programme reach its full potential and ensure the sustainability of the livelihoods of the beneficiaries.
Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd), the interim administrator of PAP, stated this on Wednesday, February 21, while briefing newsmen at the Amnesty Office, Abuja.
How the Amnesty program is creating opportunities for youths
In a statement made available to Legit.ng, Ndiomu, who insisted that the amnesty programme had served its purpose, added that some areas had yet to reach their full potential, especially the completion of vocational training centres.
"If we are able to complete these centers, we can now domicile training of restive youths in the region. One of the things I have been doing since I came on board, is to source for funds to complete these projects."
The interim administrator lamented the long-standing complaint by International Oil Companies (IOCs) that youths in the region lack the requisite industry skills for employment, a narrative the PAP is working hard to change.
Gen. Ndiomu charged state governments in the region to complement the efforts of PAP and other interventionist agencies like the NDDC and NCDMB in creating opportunities for the youths.
Responding to questions on possible threats from splinter ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region, Ndiomu reiterated that at the time of disbarment, not all armed groups agreed to lay down their arms. Thus, the PAP was "solely" set up to cater to those who embraced amnesty.
He added that the PAP cooperative fund, unlike similar initiatives in the past, was strategically set up to drive the sustainability of livelihoods and has been carefully handed over to professional consultants to guide and mentor beneficiaries to ensure success.
IYC seeks increased funding for amnesty programme
Legit.ng reported earlier that the president of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, advocated for an upward review of the allocation accruable to the Presidential Amnesty Programme from the federal government's purse.
Lokpobiri, who made this patriotic call on Monday, January 8, in Abuja while on a courtesy visit to the PAP interim administrator, Ndiomu, called for strict intervention support from the federal government headed by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement made available to Legit.ng on Tuesday, January 9, the IYC leader noted that the FG's assistance was needed to enable the PAP's leadership to meet the current realities and expectations.
PAY ATTENTION: Donate to Legit Charity on Patreon. Your support matters!
Source: Legit.ng
