PAP Phase-3 Engagement: Otuaro Appreciate Ex-agitators, Assures Empowerment, Opportunities

By Ezekiel Kagbala 

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro has assured Niger Delta ex-agitators of his commitment to extend the benefits of the Programme to those enrolled.
Otuaro gave the assurance on Monday at a stakeholders’ meeting with Phase 3 former agitators in Warri, Delta State, with the theme: “Fostering, Consolidating, and Collaborating for the Peace, Security, Stability, and Development of the Niger Delta.” 

Speaking to delegates, Otuaro reiterated that he is committed to restoring the programme to benefit leaders and stakeholders in the programme.
He said, “Today is a critical stakeholders meeting. I am very delighted to welcome you to this meeting. I know some of you came from far and wide. I know the constraints. I appreciate your cooperation. Since l assumed office I have been meeting stakeholders. I found it wise to come down to meet with you.

“The programme is for you. I want us to manage the available opportunities to benefit ourselves. We are here to seek meaningful contributions to enable us to transform the programme. I know the challenges some of you are facing. I want us to talk as brothers. I know l can address some of the problems you are facing immediately. I know we lost some family members during the struggle. It was pathetic. But we have to manage the process to benefit ourselves. I want us to cooperate and create the needed opportunity for ourselves through the programme.

“We are all casualties of the struggle. It is not only those that shoot guns. The programme is beyond me and you. We must look beyond the N65k. Come with genuine complaints I will attend to it. But I don’t want someone to come and drag me with arrears of the previous administrators. I have no power to pay for previous administrators' bills. I want us to work as partners and create the needed environment for the programme to strive. Thank you, I will stop here so we can give room for our respected leaders and stakeholders to talk as well”.

Otuaro explored areas of cooperation with all stakeholders in a bid to achieve the primary objectives of the program.