By Sunday Ani
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has reiterated his commitment to reposition the programme and create the needed value for the beneficiaries.
He made the commitment at the weekend when he visited a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Timi Alaibe, in Abuja.
He said the programme established in 2009 by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was designed to provide sustained peace and development in Niger Delta, as well as empower repentant militants in the region.
He noted that upon his appointment, he discovered the gaps in the system due to some administrative lapses, and went to work immediately to rescue the programme from losing focus and direction.
“I have been working hard with my team to redirect the programme and make it work for the main beneficiaries, as well as the people of impacted communities,” Otuaro said.
He noted that to achieve his vision, he had constantly interfaced with critical stakeholders to share perspectives and learn from their experiences.
He added that his ongoing reforms had been yielding fruits based on his constant interactions with governors of the region, traditional rulers, ex-agitators, and other critical stakeholders.
While commending Alaibe for his many contributions over the years to ensure the region was peaceful, he said the former NDDC boss remains one of the greatest assets to the Niger Delta.
In his remarks, Alaibe, who was also a former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Coordinator of the PAP, thanked Otuaro for the visit.
He stated that so far, the PAP boss had done well, especially with the recent deployment of 1,700 students to various universities across the country, and the specialised maritime training programme.
Alaibe assured the PAP helmsman of his support, saying his doors were always open for continuous consultation and engagement for the interest of the people of the region.
He also advised Otuaro to remain focused and not be distracted by those who have sinister motives to derail the programme because of personal and selfish reasons.