…Says no funds will be diverted to satisfy vested interests
By Joy Omagha Idam
The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has vowed not to succumb to blackmail over the enforcement of the Federal Government’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) policy, declaring that its Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, will not abandon reforms aimed at sanitising the programme and blocking financial leakages.
The Office, in a statement, condemned what it described as a campaign of calumny by some individuals from the Niger Delta allegedly opposed to the verification exercise and Otuaro’s prudent management of public resources.
It insisted that the PAP cannot be exempted from the Federal Government’s BVN policy designed to promote transparency, strengthen accountability and curb financial fraud.
The programme challenged those questioning the verification process to present themselves for necessary checks, alleging that some critics had refused to come forward despite being invited.
“The PAP office cannot be the exception in the execution of the government’s policy on BVN designed to eradicate corruption in the society,” the statement said.
It alleged that the attacks against Otuaro were driven by individuals unhappy with reforms that had closed loopholes previously exploited for personal gains, including questionable financial demands and expectations of inflated contracts.
The Office maintained that funds approved for the programme would be deployed strictly for their intended purposes, particularly education, vocational training and sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
Highlighting Otuaro’s achievements, the PAP disclosed that he had awarded 13,300 onshore and more than 500 offshore scholarships, bringing the total to over 13,800, alongside the distribution of laptops to beneficiaries.
It also reported prompt payment of monthly stipends to ex-agitators as part of efforts to sustain confidence and stability within the programme.
In the aviation sector, four cadet pilots and 20 other aviation trainees had secured employment after training, while 40 cadets were engaged in on-the-job training.
The Office further disclosed that 98 maritime cadets had obtained professional certification, while more than 360 stakeholders had received training in alternative dispute resolution and mediation.
According to the PAP, the initiatives reflect Otuaro’s commitment to human capital development, employment generation and strengthening the peace-building process across the region.
Reaffirming its position, the programme declared that it would not be stampeded into diverting funds meant for the educational and vocational empowerment of Niger Delta youths to satisfy what it described as the demands of serial blackmailers and their sponsors.
It urged the public to disregard allegations it described as false and misleading, while appreciating Niger Delta leaders and stakeholders for supporting Otuaro’s reform agenda.
The Office said its priority remained consolidating sustainable peace, security, socio-economic growth and development in the Niger Delta, in line with the mandate given to the Administrator by President Bola Tinubu.