Ex-agitators make case for Amnesty coordinator’s confirmation

Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

Former agitators in the Niger Delta  region under the aegis of Third Phase Ex-Agitators has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to confirm the appointment of Col. Milland  Dixon Dikio (rtd) as the substantive Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

Recall that since his nomination in August 2020, Dikio’s appointment is yet to be confirmed.

The former agitators, led  by its national  chairman, Mr. Tonye Bobo, in a chart with journalists, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, noted that the Dikio has lived up to the expectations  of the ex-agitators since he assumed office , they therefore appealed to President Buhari to confirm his  appointment.

Describing the confirmation of Dikio as overdue, the former agitators, who reeled out some of his achievements to include the award of scholarships for former fighters to best institutions in and out of the country,  acquisition of skills, clearing  more than half of the huge debts owed contractors, the relative peace in the region because of his wealth of experience brought to the Programme which has led to improved oil production, positive engagement with stake holders amongst others.

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According to the,, “If he is confirmed, more things would unfold for the good of the ex-agitators” said Tonye, who was flanked by other ‘generals’ in the struggle, stressing that, “You would agree with me that this very call to confirm Dikio has become overdue  as the of substantive  coordinator of PAP.

“It would also interest you to note that since Col. Dikio came on board as the interim administrator  we have witnessed a paradigm shift on  the programme in terms of relative peace across the region.

“We have also observed a  change in mindset of ex-agitators, upward oil production, entrepreneurship , engagement with stakeholders, scholarships to ex-agitators to some of the best institution within and abroad and his credible performance record is still counting.

“Col Dikio has also introduced the novel Train Employ and Mentor scheme (TEM) with the first graduation of 349 ex-agitators in various skills at the Bradama International Skill Works Ltd  in Ondo State owned by High Chief Biboye Ajube, a  famous freedom fighter , , aka Shoot at sight” , had brought another turn  around and tremendous impact on the Programme.

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He also disclosed that the Programme recently deployed  over 1,400 former agitators to acquire skills which include aircraft Pilot/Engineers, Agriculture , oil and gas, Marine sector clean up or oil spillage, among others to the beneficiaries

“Since his assumption of office on August 2020 , Tonye says Dikio inherited debts  to the turn of N72billion, but with the limited resources at his disposal, he’s been able to offset “over N42billion  owed various  contractors”, stressing  that the  confirmation of Dikio would “no doubt sustain and stabilise the Programme”.