Why EU Backs Nigeria's Amnesty Programme

Why EU Backs Nigeria's Amnesty Programme, By French Ambassador

THE French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Jean-Michel Dumond, has given reasons why the European Union (EU) is very keen on seeing to the success of the Amnesty Programme to repentant militants in the Niger Delta, Nigeria's volatile oil and gas region.

AkanimoReports quotes an unnamed well-placed functionary of the Rivers State Government as telling its correspondent in an interview on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, that the visiting envoys rose from a closed door meeting with Governor Chibuike Amaechi and some key administration officials, pledging to partner with the state, the Federal Government and other core partners in the amnesty programme for a comprehensive programme of development for the country.

Mr Dumond, who spoke at the end of the closed door parley of 15 foreign envoys, which included nine Ambassadors to Nigeria, said the EU believes that such a programme will be a long term solution to Nigeria’s crises.

The French Ambassador, according to our source claimed that the EU was impressed with the success of the amnesty programme so far, and expressed the hope that the federal government would take all necessary measures that would ensure that the 2011 general elections would be free and fair.

“We, of course, take into consideration the elections which will take place in Nigeria in 2011, and we commend the authorities for the way the situation in Abuja has been handled”, the French Ambassador stressed.

Mr Dumond commended Amaechi, for what he described as ''a determined effor''t to develop Rivers state, pointing out that their visit was interesting because they were impressed with what they have seen in the state.

Governor Amaechi had explained that the idea behind the parley was to discuss issues concerning the wrong perception about the security situation in the Niger Delta, especially in his state.

The envoys were later conducted round some infrastructural projects such as the newly built Model Primary School, and Health Centre at Elekahia, some road projects and Trans-Amadi Gas Turbine station, by Governor Amaechi.

Ambassadors of Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Ghanaian High Commissioner, German Consul-General, British Deputy High Commissioner, Netherlands’ The Charge D’Affairs, Indian Defence Advisor were among the envoys that attended the meeting which was at the instance of the Rivers State Government. ENDS

ENDS

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