The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has called on the Federal Government to approve more funds for the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) to ensure sustained peace in the Niger Delta region.
The IYC President, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, made this known while speaking with journalists shortly after leading a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Administrator of PAP, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, in Abuja.
A statement signed by the IYC’s spokesperson, Princewill Binebai, on Wednesday quoted Lokpobiri as stating that the scope of the PAP was expanding and should no longer be run on its current budget, which has remained unchanged for many years.
The umbrella body of ijaw youths noted that the Programme still had a lot to do to ensure continued stabilisation of the region.
The group also argued that the present economic realities in Nigeria, along with emerging challenges in the region, have made it even more pressing for additional funds to be allocated to the programme.
The group said it discovered, after a careful assessment of the programme, that the dollar was exchanging at N120 when the PAP began, adding that there were sufficient justifiable reasons for the government to consider strengthening the programme with additional funds.
The IYC appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Ministers of Budget and Finance, as well as the leadership of the National Assembly, to recognize the need to allocate more funds for the programme.
The Ijaw youths appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Ministers of Budget and Finance as well as the leadership of the National Assembly to see the need to make more funds available for programme.
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The statement read in part: “As the Ijaw Youth Council, we have conducted a careful assessment of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and the significant achievements the programme has recorded over the years.
“However, our assessment shows that the programme can no longer run effectively on its current budget because, when it was conceived, the dollar was exchanging at N120.
“However, our assessment showed that the Programme can no longer run effectively with its current budget because when it was conceived, the dollar was exchanging for N120.
“Today, this same programme is still being run on the same budgetary provision of N65 billion for an entire year. Currently, the dollar is exchanging at N1,700, and the funding for the programme has remained stagnant while the needs of the programme are expanding.
“As a council, we passionately appeal to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Budget, the National Assembly, the Senate President, and the leadership of the National Assembly to work together to improve the funding of the programme.
“There is much expected from this programme because if the Niger Delta fails, Nigeria will pay more.
“The PAP is at the forefront of sustaining peace in the Niger Delta. Expanding the programme to accommodate more people is crucial at this point in time.”
Lokpobiri also commended Otuaro for repositioning the PAP and “bringing the programme back to our people in the Niger Delta.”
He emphasized that the administrator’s leadership role and policy of inclusion have fostered stability in the region. Lokpobiri assured the PAP boss of the IYC’s continued support and thanked him for identifying with the youth body.
The statement quoted Otuaro as reiterating his commitment to serve the people of the Niger Delta wholeheartedly, acknowledging that he understood the tasks ahead when he was appointed.
The PAP boss reassured the Ijaw youths that the programme was in capable hands.
He stated that the PAP was in its reintegration phase, which he described as critical to achieving the programme’s objectives.
He added that his leadership understood the vital roles of stakeholders in ensuring sustainable peace, security, and stability in the region.
While thanking the IYC for the visit, Otuaro said, “When I assumed office, I understood the tasks ahead. I also understand the roles of the Ijaw National Congress, IYC, our women, and other organizations.
“That is why I often say that this programme is in safe hands. This job is about our people. Under my leadership, the office places significant importance on stakeholder engagement.”
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Lokpobiri commended Otuaro for repositioning the PAP and “bringing the programme back to our people in the Niger Delta”.
While stressing that the administrator’s leadership role and his policy of inclusion had engendered stability in the region, Lokpobiri assured the PAP boss of the support of IYC and also thanked him for identifying with the youth body.
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