Another militant group supports call for Dikio’s sack

Peter Inyang, Uyo

Niger Delta Volunteers (NDV) has sanctioned the call by Akwa Ibom militants for the removal of the Presidential Amnesty Programme’s Interim Administrator Col. Milland Dixion Dikio (rtd).

A group, ‘Uyekisong’ had last week started the campaign for the removal of Dikio for alleged discrimination and marginalization of militants from Akwa Ibom State.

According to the group, Dikio’s appointment is unconstitutional and must be replaced with a substantive special adviser/coordinator.

A statement signed by the NDV’s President General, his deputy, General Ekpo Ekpo, and Capt. Nsidibe Etim, in Uyo on Friday, insisted on total restructuring of the programme, to meet the yearnings of the people and meet its statutory mandate.

The group lamented that out of the 200 ex-agitators trained in vocational skills by Presidential Amnesty Programme none came from Akwa Ibom State.

“We are deeply shocked to learn that over 200 delegates (ex-agitators) of PAP recently graduated from a six-month intensive classroom and working trainings in welding/fabrication, abrasive blasting, mechanical fittings, industrial painting and scaffolding/rigging under the 2019/2020 PAP Delegates programme, which was organized by the Amnesty Office and anchored by Bradama International Skills Ltd., Ese-Odo in Ondo State.

“Expectedly but sadly though, there was no delegate from Akwa Ibom State. This has gone to prove the allegation of non- inclusion of Akwa Ibom amnesty beneficiaries from trainings, empowerment, and other activities of the Amnesty Programme.

“Besides, while the Amnesty Programme has offices with Coordinators in other States of the Niger Delta, there is none to coordinate the activities of the Programme in Akwa Ibom State,” the statement noted.

They stated that since Dikio’s assumption of office, he has not formally met with relevant stakeholders, including ex-militants from Akwa Ibom State, who are participating in the amnesty programme, to have their views and identify their challenges.

“We are, therefore, in strong support of UNYEKISONG in its recent demands for a comprehensive restructuring of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, to include the replacement of the Interim Administrator of the Programme with a substantive Coordinator.

“Removal of the supervisory/oversight powers over the programme from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), as well as the reconstitution of the management of the programme with representatives from the nine Niger Delta states to ensure probity, transparency and all-inclusiveness.

The group threatened to join forces with all the ex-militants to shut down oil operations in Akwa Ibom State if  demands are not genuinely addressed.