PAP’s mandate would be accomplished when vocational skills centres are completed,operational – Gen. Ndiomu

By ABUBAKAR YUNUSA

The leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has expressed strong commitment to completing and activating all Vocational Training Centers across the Niger Delta region, to help the Amnesty Programme reach its full potentials and ensure sustainability of livelihoods of beneficiaries.

Interim Administrator of the PAP, Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd) stated this on Wednesday in an interview with Newsmen at the Amnesty Office, Abuja.

Ndiomu who insisted that the Amnesty Programme has served its purpose, said there are some areas that have not reached its full potentials, especially the completion of Vocational Training Centers. “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 requisite industry skills for employment, a narrative, the PAP is working hard to change, he said.

General Ndiomu charged state governments in the region complement the efforts of PAP and other interventionist agencies like the NDDC and NCDMB in the region in creating opportunities for young people.

Responding to questions on possible threats from splinter ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region, Ndiomu reiterated that as at the time of disarment, not all armed groups agreed to lay down their arms, thus, the PAP was “soley” set up to cater those who embraced Amnesty.

He added that the PAP Cooperative Fund, unlike other similar initiatives in the past, is strategically set up to drive sustainability of livelihoods, and has been carefully handed over to professional consultants to guide and mentor beneficiaries to ensure success.