By Cletus Opukeme, Warri
Ijaw youths Council (IYC) western zone led by Dr. Collins Doubra has complained of neglect by the office of the Presidential amnesty boss, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd) for not responding to request for a meeting to address issues of importance in the Ijaw youths council in the western zone of Niger Delta.
In a press statement signed by comrade Lugard Izoukumor,, information Officer, IYC Western Zone on behalf of the IYC western zone chairman, Dr. Collins Doubra, said, ” The Ijaw Youth Council; IYC, Western Zone, comprises of Delta, Edo and Ondo States is saddened by the vacuum of the office of the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd).
”When Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd) was appointed, we were hopeful he’d bring his wealth of expertise to bear. And; indeed, to a large extent, we commended the new model of vision Col. Dikio introduced, which is to train, employ and mentor beneficiaries in the Amnesty Programme, as well as to revamp the economic outlook of the Niger Delta.
”However, the Zonal Executive has become so inquisitive by the obvious negligence and the vacuum of the office of the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd). In series of occasion when Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd) visited Western Zone, the Zonal Executive, national officers of the IYC Worldwide who are from Western Zone, and of course other critical stakeholders explored all necessary means to meet with him where issues affecting Niger Delta youths can be discussed and proffer solutions to, considering the fact that, we are a major voice in sustaining the prevailing peace in our region” the group said.
Continuibg, ”As a group, we believe that sustainable community development is when all stakeholders are engaged with an holistically defined framework, which is a bottom to top approach of development. We’re pained, and when we raise these issues people will erroneously allude it to an entitlement mentality. Whichever way, it’s, the IYC under the amiable leadership of Dr. Chris Ekiyor played a strategic role, for the Amnesty Programme to be birthed, and just as the NDDC is a pet project to us, similarly is the Amnesty Programme.
”We, therefore, appeal with our father, Pa E.K Clark, illustrious Ijaw leader, Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo predominantly referred by his sobriquet Tompolo and other stakeholders to prevail over this negligence by the office of the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd).
”Let it be known that, we’re not fighting Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), but let the right thing be done” the statement added.
