A Niger Delta group under the auspices of the Niger Delta Peace Advocates said its attention has been drawn to relentless campaign of calumny targeted at maligning the person and office of the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Maj.Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd) by some faceless groups and individuals.
The group in a statement signed by the Chairman, Ebitimi Kurowei and Publicity Secretary, Ekpe Ekpe Ekere and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, said ordinaryly it would not like to respond to attacks on Ndiomu’s good works in PAP by amorphous groups and individuals but as well-meaning group which understands the functionality of PAP and leadership dexterity of Ndiomu it decided to act.
Kurowei noted that it decided to set the records straight in order to disabuse the minds of the public in taking the lies concocted by these lackays hook, line and sinker.
He pointed out that the so-called Niger Delta elders in carrying out their mischievous act petitioned the National Security Adviser, Monguno seeking the removal of the PAP Interim Administrator citing his related role as Chairman of the Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft and losses, adding that citing distraction as reason to relief Ndiomu of the Amnesty job is laughable, despicable and attempt by these mischief makers to remove PAP Administrator by all means.
He noted that the appointment of Ndiomu as Interim Administrator of PAP in September, 2022 by President Buhari came with a specific assignment to wind down the programme in view of the many controversies but however the FG back down as a result of the intervention by some stakeholders initiated by Ndiomu and continued with the programme.
He added that: ” Because of Ndiomu’s leadership qualities, forthright assessment of the situation and courageous willingness to carry out needed reforms. One of the conditions leading to the decision to retain PAP was that it’s database which was compromised over the years had to be cleaned up.
” In November 2022, internal and external audits of PAP’s database uncovered monumental fraud in the payment of stipends. In a particular case, an individual was receiving stipends meant for 33 persons through fraudulent means.
” Ndiomu also initiated plans to renegotiate existing contracts with it’s vendor and ordered the immediate verification of all delegates. Through those measures, the Interim Administrator was able to save over 1.5 billion.
” We therefore completely support Ndiomu’s decision to only pay contractors whose works have been completed and verified. We strongly advise that, rather than sponsor propaganda in the media to manipulate Ndiomu, contractors should focus on ensuring that they have all evidence of completed work as a requirement for payment.”
The group while commending President Buhari on his insistence on transparency at all interventionist agencies in the Niger Delta and finding Ndiomu worthy in the enormous task of re-assessing, re-directing and implementation of the holistic review of PAP, called on the NSA, General Monguno to disregard all petitions against Ndiomu.
” While we urge Ndiomu not to be distracted and assure him of the support of legitimate elders and people of the Niger Delta, we call on his distractors to work with him to enable Ndiomu deliver on the much needed reforms of the programme. The current state of agitation and rancour augur ill for the image of the Niger Delta as a region and the peace building component of PAP.”
The group expressed confidence that given Ndiomu’s track record in service, he can accomplish the task as Chairman of the Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft/Losses in Nigeria as well as the Interim Administrator of PAP.
About Author
