The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has thrown its weight behind the efforts to re-integrate beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Stating its willingness to contribute to the success of the programme, the Acting Managing Director of the commission, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, said that the NDDC was by law expected to forge strategic partnerships for the purpose of developing the Niger Delta region.
Receiving the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brigadier-General Paul Boroh (Rtd) and his team at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Mrs Semenitari noted that the partnerships were critical for driving sustainable development.
She also commended the efforts being made by the Federal Government, through the Amnesty Programme, to move Niger Deltans from just being hewers of wood, to people who will have respectable and sustainable means of livelihood.
While speaking, Brigadier-General Boroh disclosed that his assignment was to ensure that the peace already established after the introduction of the programme, was sustained by proper integration of the 30,000 youths captured in the programme.
He also noted that collaboration with critical agencies of government and the private sector would help harness available trained manpower under the programme, for placements in various establishments.
The Coordinator of the programme further stressed that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari remained committed to peace and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
“To achieve this, there id need for all stakeholders, including the international community to join in the effort,” he said.
Making contributions to the issue, the Head, Post-Training Engagement and Empowerment, Mr. Kester Tawari, disclosed that 13,000 youths had been trained in special areas such as aviation, marine, professional welding and technicians for the oil and gas sector.
He also said that between 15,000 and 17,000 youths were undergoing training.