The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and Nigerian Port Authority ( NPA) have initiated moves to further tackle youths restiveness in Niger Delta region.
This, the two organisations said they want to achieve through strategic partnership that will create more access for the youths in areas of skills acquisition and economic empowerment.
The Interim Administrator of PAP, Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd), who disclosed this when he visited NPA’s headquarters recently, said he was doubling efforts to reposition the Programme for better service delivery.
Ndiomu noted that part of the partnership it seeks from NPA, was an understanding for the Programme to use the Deep Sea Diving School in Rivers State, for the participating youths of the region.
“I want to solicit your support and assistance with a view to use of one of your jetties in Rivers state which we can develop further together for the purpose of the deep sea diving school and other related marine training. This is one area we can get the youths to create sustainable livelihood.
“These boys are willing to learn. Many of them have been trained but sadly, they are unemployed. I don’t think this is in the best interest of the country. We have been managing them by paying them the recommended stipend monthly but it is not the right way to go because we are indirectly encouraging the culture of indolence and dependency. It is not something we should encourage in our youths, rather we should give them the opportunity to be self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the economy,” he added.
Also Speaking, NPA’s Managing Director, Mohammed Bello-Koko said improving security in the region through curbing youths restiveness, had remained one of focal points of his administration.
Bello-Koko assured that the Programme would enjoy the benefits of NPA ‘s expertise in the area of Deep Sea Diving training, as well as other aspects of technical supports.
He added that, “For us in NPA, we have tried to improve activities of our ports in the region as a way of tackling restiveness because with these activities, jobs are created and the youths are engaged. We will work with you to give you all the support you need. We’ll work with you to see any available jetty for the purpose you want to use it for. When it comes to deep sea diving and other marine related training, we have experienced staff here that we can always send to you to offer training and advisories whenever the need arises.
“We have tried as much as possible to have a very good working relationship with the host communities in the Niger Delta. We have seen a reduction in restiveness because of what you have been doing as well as our engagement with the host communities. We also seek your support when you are engaging with the communities around the port locations; they need to realise that their action and inaction will determine how viable the ports are,” he said.