The administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme ,PAP, Chief Dennis Otuaro PhD, has assured that President Bola Tinubu is determined to deliver better deals for the beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme even as he affirm that the president had approved an upward review of budgetary allocation to the PAP office in the 2025 budget.
The PAP boss, Otuaro gave the assurance and affirmation when he met with ex-Niger Delta agitators comprising phases 1, 2 and 3 of the Amnesty Programme as part of an expanded stakeholders engagement in Warri on Friday
The declaration which sparked great joy, excitement and jubilation among the ex-agitators, palpably reaffirmed their trust in the consistent leadership of Dr Dennis Otuaro, who has in the short period of his appointment as Administrator has delivered results and demonstrated keen understanding of the Amnesty Programme and issues of the Niger Delta.
The rounds of stakeholders engagement is coming barely three months after Otuaro met with stakeholders, groups, including camp leaders of the amnesty programme following his appointment earlier this year.
In his opening address Otuaro said, “I want to reassure you that Mr. President is interested in our budget review. In the 2025 budget, our budget would be reviewed upward to accommodate more persons particularly more women.”
Speaking on challenges faced by some persons in terms of receiving their monthly stipend, the PAP Administrator stated: “Many challenges such as the BVN issues faced by some persons have been resolved. And every other issue would be resolved under my leadership. Inasmuch the challenge is genuine and under the PAP coverage area, I will do everything within my power to resolve it.”
Analysing the scholarship section, the PAP boss said the portal for registration was opened early this year till last month, stressing that no fewer than twenty-five thousand applications were received.
Otuaro, who said the education desk is working hard in the selection process, added that before anyone would be shortlisted for the scholarship a thorough background check would be carried out.
“As you all know, our scholarship portal opened early this year till last month. Over twenty-five thousand applied, this is a large number. But the education desk would soon commence the selection process. But before anyone would be selected, a thorough background check of the community the applicant claimed would be carried out. I am going to call the community chairman, the camp leader, and any other person that I can call for verification.
“But of course you know that we cannot leave out some persons. For instance, if an applicant scored 350 in his or her JAMB, we may not go through all these processes. Such applicants would be considered without much background check. Our people will be given the opportunity to acquire education,” he added.
Remaking on vocational training and empowerment, the PAP boss noted: “We are going to review the vocational training upward. We are going to review our empowerment programme. But we are not going to give anyone a starter-pack just like that. When we identify your area of interest, we attach you to an organisation doing what you are interested in doing, and after spending like one year, we can now empower you to start your own business too.
On the proposed October 1 nationwide protest, Otuaro urged the ex-agitators to speak to their people not to join the protest, assuring that President Tinubu is doing everything possible to address challenges in the region.
Making reference, the PAP boss disclosed that the Federal Government had awarded the East-West Road to a Chinese company, assuring that work would commence in a short while.
In response, those who spoke on behalf of the ex-agitators assured the PAP Administrator that no one from the region would join the protest because the few months spent by Tinubu is not enough to judge him in terms of performance. While questioning the direction of the protest which is considered faceless.
The meeting marked a significant step in ongoing efforts to address the needs and concerns of the Niger Delta region under the PAP.
