Ex-agitators in the Niger Delta struggle have commended the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Chief Dr Dennis Otuaro, for directly engaging with stakeholders towards enhancing the programmes' objectives just as the Amnesty Boss called on stakeholders to unite and to collaborate with the agency of government to deepen the impact of the amnesty programme.

Recall that the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Dr. Otuaro, kick-started a five-day stakeholders' meeting in Warri, Delta State, that began on Friday, June 21, 2024, and will run till Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

The phase one leaders from across the states of Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers, who were excited with the initiative of the Administrator appealed for continuation of such engagements.

Among suggestions and concerns raised include the need for a medical programme to cater for the health of stakeholders especially those who had sustained injuries during the struggle, the review of the stipends to beneficiaries which need to be increased from N65,000k, the need to capture the children of stakeholders into the programme for training and empowerment, and that stakeholders be informed on developments in the PAP.

Others are that the PAP should be treated by the federal government as a security programme such that funds should be paid to the Amnesty Office as at when due to avoid delay in the execution of its programmes, and that the intellectual arm of the struggle (advocacy) should be recognised and that those in the intellectual struggle should be equipped through training and empowerment, and that the modalities for capturing beneficiaries into the amnesty programme should be reviewed to remove barricades.

In addition, that there is the need for the Administrator of the PAP to give listening ear to stakeholders while stakeholders should in turn dissuade from tarnishing the image of the Administrator for selfish reasons as well as broaden their mindsets from being dependent on the stipends from the Amnesty Office as there are diverse ways to genuinely make money in the region.

Meanwhile, as the engagement enters day two, Dr. Otuaro, in his remark stressed on the importance of inclusive development, the need to send more beneficiaries for foreign scholarships and skill acquisition, the need for extensive training programmes and empowerment for those who had already undergone training previously. 

The Amnesty Boss also highlighted the necessity of correcting irregularities within the system to ensure that the benefits of the programme are evenly distributed and accessible to all eligible participants.

The PAP Administrator who further expressed his assurance that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to the development of the Niger Delta and is determined to take the programme to new heights, called for unity among stakeholders, urging them to avoid divisive actions and to communicate any genuine concerns to him. 

"If we can sustain this peace and generate great ideas, I am confident that we can present a compelling case to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu," Otuaro said, while he announced plans to engage with critical stakeholders who are not currently beneficiaries of the amnesty programme with plans to include them through initiatives similar to the PAP's Cooperative Loan Scheme, PACOSOL.

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