After an extensive meeting with members of the Third Phase Amnesty Program yesterday, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, It became very necessary to inform His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of Nigeria, Vice President, Kashim Shettima, Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP) Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro and the general public that the aggrieved members of the Third Phase Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP), led by Lord Onipa and General Cairo resolved that:
1. We have been denied recognition, benefit and reward as Ex- Militants for thirteen (13) years.
2. Our struggle is genuine, not self seeking or influenced by politicians or any institution.
3. Some stakeholders from the Niger Delta region appealed to us to be patient with the PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro to completely address the issues, rather than meeting just a section of our demands.
4. We have extended the earlier announced 30-days ultimatum, giving it another 7-days for the respective authorities to meet our demands.
Recall that the aggrieved members on 5th October 2024, issued a 30-Days ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, direct and impress on Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, Administrator of PAP, to grant them full right, recognition and compensation as Members of the Third Phase Amnesty Program. The ultimatum has been extended with additional seven days that will end 12th November 2024.
It is also important to note that the unresolved issues and demands of the third phase Amnesty remains the same.
The unresolved issues are:
– Lack of Recognition of the aggrieved members of the Third-Phase of the presidential Amnesty program.
– Unpaid compensation and benefit: Despite repeated promises.
– Neglect and economic hardship on our members leading to mixed feelings.
The Demands are:
1. Immediate recognition of the third-phase camp leaders and members.
2. Payment of outstanding compensation and benefit.
3. Environmental cleanup and sensitisation of people of the oil producing communities.
4. Economic empowerment for people of the Niger Delta.
Failure to meet our demands, we shall embark on a series of peaceful demonstrations (protests), carry-out rallies in some strategic areas of Abuja, to demand for the Government and the Presidential Amnesty Program to meet our plights, starting from November 12, 2024.
Consequences of inaction from Mr President, PAP Administrator shall lead to the following:
-Escalating tension and unrest in the Niger Delta region.
-Increased poverty, hunger and crime, which would ultimately curse harm to the nation’s security and development.
While making these demands to the Federal Government and the Presidential Amnesty Program, we also urge all Niger Delta Stakeholders, national and international organizations, and the media to bear witness to our struggles.
SIGNED:
Lord Onipa,
General Cairo,
Amnesty Third Phase Camp Leaders on behalf of all members.
