The Bayelsa government has urged the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) to partner state governments in the Niger Delta region, especially Bayelsa, to stimulate regional integration and cooperation in the area.

Alaowei Jonah, an aide to Governor Douye Diri on PAP, made the call in Yenagoa on Tuesday. As a willing partner, he said Bayelsa would support the various and laudable initiatives of PAP.

Mr Jonah also appealed to the PAP interim administrator, Barry Ndiomu, to include more youths from the state to benefit from the various agricultural and cooperative schemes he planned to establish.

The governor’s aide thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for reappointing Mr Ndiomu, describing his tenure extension as a reward for excellent service in his first appointment.

“Ndiomu, at different events, had hinted that the proposed schemes to be sponsored by the Amnesty Office would help to address the issue of unemployment in the Niger Delta and reduce the overdependence on the monthly N65,000 stipend by ex-agitators,” Mr Jonah explained. “We think it is laudable and we commend him for that. Our request is that he should include more of our youths in the proposed schemes so they can benefit from it.”

Mr Jonah urged the PAP administrator to make the rehabilitation of the PAP training centre at Boro town a matter of priority to enable ex-agitators to have a standard and safe environment for training.

The governor’s aide also reaffirmed the commitment of the Bayelsa government to work with institutions of the federal government to bring development to the state, especially in employment generation and skills acquisition.

According to him, the governor has provided the enabling environment for such partnerships to thrive through his open-door policy and peaceful disposition. 

(NAN)