The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has said that he is working with all Niger Delta stakeholders to deepen the implementation of the programme’s objectives for the region.
When a delegation of the Coalition of Ndokwa Project paid him a courtesy visit at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, Otuaro said that part of his reforms was to reinvigorate the programme and accommodate more stakeholders.
According to him, the Ndokwa people are a significant part of the Niger Delta. They also benefit from the programme’s scholarship scheme and vocational training initiatives and are employed in the PAP.
Otuaro said his inclusivity policy drove his expansion plans for the scholarship scheme. An empowerment programme rolled out soon will also benefit many of the region’s women.
He said these were in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for sustainable peace, stability, and socio-economic growth in the Niger Delta.
He assured the Ndokwa delegation that their people would not be left out in the scheme of things, stressing that he was delighted by their visit.
Addressing the delegation, Otuaro said, “When I came on board, I carried out reforms, and my idea is to turn around the programme and ensure that I accommodate more stakeholders. That is why in the past year since I came in, whatever we are doing, we are doing it across the board.
“Things that are within my mandate to do, I do them without having to make noise about them. His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has given me a mandate, and all we are doing through education and vocational training is part of his Renewed Hope Agenda for the Niger Delta.
“Many Ndokwa youths benefit from our onshore and offshore scholarships. We also have some Ndokwa people working here. I know everybody’s programme, and I have to be fair. It is good to receive people from Delta North and see red cap chiefs like you. I am happy to host you. I will not disappoint you.”
Earlier, the Coalition of Ndokwa Project leader, High Chief Dennis Okoh, commended Otuaro for the giant strides the PAP had recorded under his leadership.
He appealed to the PAP administrator to ensure that more Ndokwa people were integrated into the programme’s scholarship and vocational training scheme because the area also had vast oil and gas deposits.
The delegation passed a vote of confidence in Otuaro. It urged him to not relent in his efforts to enlist the participation of more Niger Delta stakeholders to achieve the goals of the programme.
