Preparedness for Presidential Amnesty Programme (Phase 3.0)

[Sylvester Ogbolu-Otutu]

Dear Sir/Madam,

There is need for Ndokwa to plan ahead for another phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme under the Presidency of General Muhammadu Buhari.

It is envisioned that Post-Amnesty benefits will continue as a programme of action for the incoming administration to ensure that there are no renewed hostilities so as to help control militancy in the Niger Delta Region. However, it is not clear whether the 'form and content' thereof would be similar to how it was done in previous phases. For one, the low price of crude oil in global markets would affect the amount of funding that is available for different governmental programmes and work plans. For another, a programme evaluation exercise might recommend certain modifications to how the Post-Amnesty benefits should be implemented to curb past inefficiencies and associated abuse of privilege. This might also be associated with a comprehensive review of the role of the Ministry of Niger Delta and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for improved effectiveness and relevance. We should expect some changes to existing policy regarding implementation, but the central thrust of the Amnesty Programme will remain as a way of helping to control the insurgency.

In previous phases of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Ndokwa was not recognized as a beneficiary group:

a) At inception (2009-2010), the proposal to include Ndokwa was defeated by the voices who worked against it.

b) During Phase 2, the proposal was vigorously opposed, but eventually managed to pick up some traction. Even so, Ndokwa only managed to receive a 'tuppence worth' of benefits - about 20 slots or so. Many people whose names were registered failed to receive any consideration. Ndokwa was seen as a late comer.

Therefore, based on lessons learned since 2009, we need to now prepare proactively for Presidential Amnesty Phase 3.

The collation of names of prospective beneficiaries should commence in earnest to enable us have a comprehensive masterlist that will be presented to the Presidential Amnesty Programme Office whenever it is reconstituted under General Buhari's administration. 

To ensure that all stake-holder groups in Ndokwaland are represented, it is proposed that the following groups should act as coordinating agencies:

1. Ndosimili Development Union (NDU)

2. Ukwuani Foundation Union (UFU)

3. Ndokwa Neku Union (Women's Wing)

4. Ndokwa Neku Union (Youth Wing)

5. Ndokwa Unite Congress/Organized Ndokwa Effort (ONE)

6. Ndokwa Arise for Change Initiatives (NACI)

7. Ndokwa Multi-Stakeholders Group

Clans/Towns/Communities should register the names of their prospective beneficiaries through either the NDU or UFU - since these two pedestal bodies of the NNU also represent individual clans.

All collated names will be held in a data repository maintained by Ndokwa Multi-Stakeholder's Group; from which a consolidated masterlist will be given to the Ndokwa National Union (NNU) executive committee. Please note that the NNU Exco is not expected to collate or accept names. Any names of prospective beneficiaries should be submitted through any of the coordinating agencies; who will in turn register the names of persons in the database maintained by Ndokwa Multi-Stakeholder Groups. Politicians are not expected to interfere in the process since prospective beneficiaries can deal directly with any of the coordinating agencies.

We urge the cooperation of one and all for the success of this exercise, and may God bless Ndokwaland.

Yours sincerely,

Sylvester Ogbolu-Otutu

Unor-Ebedei on the Ethiope River

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia