A Niger Delta advocacy group, the Niger Delta Interest Watchdog (NDIW), commends the interim administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (retd), for delivering on the mandate of the scheme with lean resources and diligence, which has made him warm and wins the hearts of Niger Deltans and President Buhari.
Speaking with journalists after the group’s executive meeting at the weekend in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital, NDIW Coordinator-General, Comrade Daboikiabo Z. Warmate, said “Dikio’s appointment was initially received with mix feelings but he has been able to clear the doubts in everyone’s mind with sterling performance and fluid interaction with ex-agitators and other stakeholders which has promoted remarkable development and peace in our region.”
He said, “Dikio’s remarkable achievements were a clear demonstration of his zeal to find himself on the right side of history. Adding that his scandal-free and the performance-saturated regime has drawn accolades from both fans and critics.”
Comrade Warmate went further to mention five areas the group that believes Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (retd) has done very well. “Dikio’s administration has been prompt in the payment of stipends, school fees, and other incentives to those under their scholarships in the universities.
He has reorganized the office by placing Niger Deltans in sensitive areas who have the knowledge of the ex-agitators struggle and temperament to ensure robust, smooth, and peaceful communication and management of the office. Because most non-Niger Deltans in the office lack the patience and understanding of temperament to communicate with the ex-agitators and coordinate the office peacefully.”
“His administration has so far been scandal-free and also he has avoided owing contractors who have fulfilled the terms of their contractual agreements without any issue by paying them promptly whenever the money is available. And the introduction of the Train, Employ and Mentor (TEM) scheme,” saying it has made the training of ex-agitators more rewarding. “Dikio has made an excellent impression on Niger Deltans and we believe by extension, President Buhari as well.”
However, Comrade Warmate appealed Dikio to reintroduce the foreign scholarship award scheme, because the foreign exposure goes a long way to consolidate the re-orientation of ex-agitators and other beneficiaries.
Comrade Warmate also appeals to President Muhammadu Buhari to make Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (retd), the substantive, Special Adviser to President on Niger Delta Affairs and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) as hitherto the case. He also called on leaders of the region to work with Dikio to attract more development and peace.
