…Defends reforms, cites 13,800 scholarships, prompt payment of stipends, aviation and maritime training gains
By Joy Omagha Idam
The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has declared that it will not yield to blackmail or intimidation from individuals allegedly opposed to reforms introduced by its Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, insisting that the Federal Government’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) policy remains non-negotiable.
The programme described the ongoing attacks against Otuaro as a calculated campaign of calumny allegedly sponsored by individuals unhappy with his efforts to sanitise the system, block financial loopholes and ensure prudent management of public resources.
In a strongly worded statement, the PAP condemned what it described as spurious allegations by some elements from the Niger Delta, accusing them of attempting to arm-twist the Office into abandoning the BVN verification process designed to strengthen financial accountability and eliminate fraudulent practices.
The Office maintained that the PAP cannot be exempted from a Federal Government policy intended to curb financial fraud and ensure transparency in the banking system.
It challenged those questioning the verification process to present themselves for the necessary checks, alleging that some of the loudest critics had refused to come forward for verification.
According to the statement, the BVN policy is a Federal Government directive and not an administrative invention of the PAP leadership.
The Office said: “The PAP office cannot be the exception in the execution of the government’s policy on BVN designed to eradicate corruption in the society.
“Clearly, anybody using the tool of blackmail to arm-twist the office to sideline BVN is either a criminal or a fraudster who should be under security watch. The Office has asked them to come for verification of their claims, but they will not.”
The programme further alleged that the persistent attacks against Otuaro were driven by vested interests threatened by his determination to close loopholes, resist questionable financial demands and prevent the award of inflated or bogus contracts.
It maintained that some of the aggrieved individuals were dissatisfied with the amounts statutorily approved for them, while others allegedly expected financial benefits that were inconsistent with the Administrator’s reform agenda.
The PAP insisted that funds approved for the programme would be judiciously utilised for their intended purposes, particularly education, vocational empowerment, human capital development and the promotion of lasting peace and security across the Niger Delta.
13,800 SCHOLARSHIPS, OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Defending Otuaro’s record, the Office highlighted what it described as significant achievements in education, skills acquisition, employment generation and peace-building since he assumed leadership.
It disclosed that the Administrator had awarded an unprecedented 13,300 onshore scholarships and more than 500 offshore scholarships to beneficiaries across the Niger Delta, alongside the distribution of laptops to support their educational pursuits.
The PAP also said Otuaro had ensured prompt payment of monthly stipends to ex-agitators, describing the intervention as part of his commitment to sustaining confidence and stability within the programme.
In the aviation sector, the Office disclosed that four cadet pilots and 20 other aviation trainees had secured gainful employment after completing their training.
It added that 40 cadets were engaged in on-the-job training, while 98 maritime cadets had received professional certification.
Furthermore, the programme revealed that more than 360 stakeholders had been trained in alternative dispute resolution and mediation as part of efforts to strengthen conflict management and deepen the peace-building process in the Niger Delta.
The Office said these interventions reflected Otuaro’s determination to reposition the programme from a system of dependency to one that prioritises education, professional skills, economic opportunities and sustainable development.
It added that deliberate measures had also been introduced to expand stakeholder engagement and strengthen collaboration among communities and relevant interests in the region.
‘WE WON’T SACRIFICE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT’
Reaffirming its position, the PAP declared that it would not be stampeded into diverting resources meant for the educational and vocational advancement of Niger Delta youths to satisfy what it described as the excessive demands of serial blackmailers and their sponsors.
It maintained that Otuaro’s prudent financial management, administrative reforms and commitment to the programme’s mandate had enhanced service delivery while laying a stronger foundation for sustainable peace, security and socio-economic development in the region.
The Office also urged members of the public to disregard what it described as false and misleading allegations aimed at damaging the Administrator’s reputation and distracting him from the responsibilities entrusted to him by President Bola Tinubu.
It expressed appreciation to stakeholders and leaders across the Niger Delta for their continued support and confidence in Otuaro’s leadership.
The PAP said such support would be critical to consolidating the ongoing reforms and building a sustainable future anchored on peace, human capital development, economic growth and community advancement across the region.