Amnesty Programme Must Build Futures, Not Dependence — Group

A Niger Delta group has urged beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) to support policies aimed at promoting long-term empowerment rather than dependence on monthly stipends.

The leader of IzanzanCamp, Mr. Arerebo Salaco Yerinmene, said while concerns over the rising cost of living and calls for increased allowances were understandable, the programme should remain focused on its original mandate of rehabilitation, reintegration, education and economic empowerment.

In a statement, Yerinmene said the PAP, which relies on annual budgetary allocations from the federal government, should not commit most of its limited resources to increasing stipends at the expense of initiatives capable of creating lasting opportunities for beneficiaries.

According to him, the programme was never designed to create permanent dependence on monthly payments but to equip delegates and impacted communities with the education, skills and opportunities needed to become self-reliant and productive members of society.

He commended the administrator of the programme, Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, for placing greater emphasis on educational scholarships and human capital development, describing the approach as a strategic path towards sustainable economic empowerment in the Niger Delta.

“An educated beneficiary can become an engineer, teacher, entrepreneur, pilot, medical professional, business owner or leader in society. Such individuals can support their families, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to the development and prosperity of the Niger Delta,” he said.

Yerinmene stressed that although welfare concerns should not be ignored, demands for higher stipends should not come at the expense of scholarship programmes, vocational training and other empowerment initiatives.

He noted that discussions on reviewing stipends could be considered when the financial capacity of the federal government improves, but cautioned against measures that could undermine investments in the future of young people in the region.

The IzanzanCamp leader called on stakeholders and beneficiaries to support Otuaro’s vision for the programme, saying collective understanding, patience and cooperation were necessary for the successful implementation of reforms.

He added that the success of the Amnesty Programme should be measured not by the duration of dependence on stipends, but by the number of graduates produced, businesses established and lives transformed across the Niger Delta.

Yerinmene urged the people of the region to embrace unity and support policies that would ensure peace, innovation and prosperity for future generations.