ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
An advocacy group, the Niger Delta Liberation Movement (NDLM), has alleged that the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta has been hijacked by northerners.
The NDLM made the allegation on Tuesday after rising from their emergency meeting on the state of affairs of the Niger Delta.
A statement by the group’s President, Oyinemi Bodmas and the Secretary, Ahamefula Chukwudi, alleged that the present Interim Administrator of the programme, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (retd.), was unfortunately controlled by the Fulani Caliphates.
The militants’ group said because of the development and the fact that Dikio is still functioning on an interim status, he could not perform to his full capacity.
It said Dikio so far has been adjudged and considered to be the best in terms of prompt payment of the monthly stipends to beneficiaries’ delegates.
The group, therefore, called for the immediate confirmation of Dikio without further delay in order for him to accomplish his vision for the programme.
The NDLM also expressed dismay over the lopsided ways some of the developmental issues were being handled in the region.
It noted: “First, we wish to state that the forensic audit that was carried out in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation was concluded in a scheduled time within six months.
“How is it that the Niger Delta Development Commission forensic audit has become an endless exercise, and still counting? We therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately inaugurate a substantive board for the NDDC, for all-inclusive participation of people in the region.
“We believe that the unending forensic audit is due to the lack of political will on the part of the Federal Government, coupled with bad policies and implementation of the policies towards the development of the region.
“Another vexatious issue has to do with imposition of persons or bodies to run the affairs of the Niger Delta to the detriment of the generality of the people in the region.”
Notwithstanding some of the anomalies, the NDLM commended President Buhari for his genuine efforts towards the development of the region through the Federal Government’s intervention agencies.
The group added: “We also salute Buhari for the optimal functioning of the key petroleum sectors and intervention agencies such as the NNPC, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NDDC and PAP, which of course, have transformed and made tremendous impact in the region.”