By Cletus Opukeme, Warri
Ex-militants of federal Presidential amnesty programme, phase three have hailed President Muhammadu Buhari, over the appointment of Major General Barry Tariye Ndiomu (Retd) as Presidential Coordinator Amnesty Programme.
This was contained in a statement signed by former two phase three amnesty programme leaders, General Olomoro G. Ebiokpolade and General John Sawyer on behalf of their followers described the appointment as well deserved based on General Ndiomu’s wealth of experience.
They said General Tariye is intelligent, transparent and hard working as well as a good team-player who has selflessly sacrificed so much for the unity of Nigeria.
The statement reads in part, “The Niger Delta ex-agitators are excited and very grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari Retd, (GCFR) for the wisdom and concern for Niger Deltans over the choice of General Tariye, a core Ijaw to lead the anmesty programme to reposition the amnesty programme.”
They also appreciate the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (Retd) to for his wisdom of advising and recommendation of Major General Barry Tariye Ndiomu to Mr President for the appointment.
“He is a fine gentle Ijaw man who has served his father’s land meritoriously and selflessly contributed immensely to the peace and stability of the Nigerian state as a nation. And as a vibrant creative intelligent dogged courageous fearless officer who was committed to the defence of it’s father’s land at any given point in time when he was called upon for any national assignment.”
” We are aware that the sacking of the immediate past anmesty boss was due to extreme corrupt allegations of financial misappropriation of over N3.5 billion, N10 to N35 billion which the former handlers of the office could not give proper account.
“And in view of the many issues surounding the removal of the former Amnesty Coordinator, involving misappropriation and mismanagement of funds meant for training of the Ex-Militants and their empowerment packages that run into billions of Naira that could not be accounted.” they said
They want specifically the head of Reintegration Mr. Alfred Kemepade and his cohorts to arrested and prosecuted for allegedly perpetrating massive corruption in the office.
”We believe that you are one of prominent sons of Ijaw nation, who understand the struggle of Niger delta, we know that you have come to correct some of mistakes and errors of the past administration,
That delegates should be sent offshore and onshore training to make the good people of Niger Delta benefit in both educational and vocational training” They admonished.
