Insecurity: FG intensifies peace efforts in Niger Delta

The Federal Government has intensified peace efforts in the Niger Delta as the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Col. Milland Dikio, visited Gbaramatu kingdom on Monday as part of his ‘back to the region tour.’

The Interim Administrator, Col Dikio, visited the Pere of Gbaramatu, His Royal Majesty Ogboro Gbaraun II Aketekpe, and other key stakeholders of the kingdom in the company of the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Abraham Ingobere and top officials of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

• Niger Delta forum backs FG on $1.5bn Port Harcourt rehabilitation
• We may soon ask FG to return our arms, say ex-Niger Delta militants

Speaking on the purpose of his visit, Dikio reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to the sustenance of peace in the region.

He said the PAP under his leadership recognizes the pivotal role of the traditional institutions and the need to partner effectively with them in peace building and mitigating violence within their domain.

“My visit today to your kingdom is in continuation of my tour to the region. I am here today to underscore the importance of the traditional institution to peace building and the mitigation of conflicts. We want to partner with the traditional institution to ensure the sustenance peace in our region,” he said

In his response, the Pere of Gbaranmatu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaraun II, lauded the Interim Administrator for the visit, while assuring him of the support of his kingdom to PAP to deliver on its mandate of securing peace and development within the kingdom.

The Monarch sought the support of the PAP’s helmsman to help improve the lot of the people of Gbaranmatu Kingdom through the provision of skill acquisition, employment and any other opportunities.

The monarch lamented that his kingdom has suffered terribly over the years from what he described as “failed and empty promises” from the Federal Government.

He stressed that the unfulfilled promises have made Gbaranmatu to become synonymous with crises arising from youth restiveness.

He said: “ Traditional rulers are the people that can help to maintain the peace of the region but if help is not forthcoming or promises are not fulfilled by the government, there is nothing they as traditional rulers can do to stop the people from reacting negatively which may lead to the disruption of peace in the region.”

He implored Dikio as a son of the of Niger-Delta whose track record as an accomplished military officer, a first class administrator with a reputation for integrity to ensure that the PAP is able to achieve its mandate in the region.