A socio-economic/ cultural and political pressure group, the Niger Delta Non-Violence Agitators Forum, has called on the Presidency to confirm the position of the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Col. Milland Dixion Dikio, to the substantive status.
A statement signed by the Abuja Chapter Chairman of the group, Comrade Embale Jonathan, said the confirmation had become necessary in view of the growing agitation in the region against the continued running of the office, which is at its lowest ebb.
While addressing newsmen in Abuja after playing host to an Itshekiri Youth Movement Group to discuss fundamental issues bothering on attitudinal change in the region’s agitation amongst Niger Delta residents in the Federal Capital Territory, Jonathan maintained that the Interim Administrator of the Programme had displayed sufficient leadership capacity to handle the office in substantive status.
He pointed out that there was an urgent need for President Muhammadu Buhari to confirm Dikio as the substantive administrator, without further delay.
According to him, “As an Interim administrator, the powers to perform are limited to a large extent as required by law. He cannot do much to meet the gap already created due to mismanagement and misplaced priorities in the running of the office by his predecessors.”
“This is not a good development for the true essence of the programme and the region. The earlier his appointment is made permanent, the better for the people and the region if the programme is to achieve its original mandate.”
Highlighting the achievements of Dikio in the shortest period he has been in the saddle, the NDNAF Chairman said the Amnesty boss had successfully brought the ex-agitators on board to key into his administration through regular consultations with critical stakeholders.
He said Dikio had consistently addressed their concerns, ensure prompt payment of outstanding beneficiaries’ monthly stipends, as well as inject new spirit of handling the day-to-day office activities of the office.
He further stated that Dikio understood the politics of the region so well that he is on top of the game, stressing that the Amnesty boss is driving the process with competence and experience satisfactorily to meet the growth and developmental needs of the people of the region.
The group, however described as ill-advised, those calling for the head of the Amnesty boss over the alleged return of N26billion of unspent PAP fund, saying that those calling for his sack do not have the interest of the people and the Niger Delta region at heart.
Jonathan, therefore, urged Dikio to disregard such baseless comments and remain focused.