It was jubilation galore among youths drawn from the nine states of the Niger Delta region yesterday, as President Bola Tinubu approved an upward review of the budget of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP,“to accommodate more stakeholders, including women, that were hitherto not carried along”.
Administrator of the Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, broke the news to the delegates at a stakeholders meeting held in Warri, Delta State, with the youths comprising some ex-militants.
He noted with delight that“many of the lingering problems concerning PAP beneficiaries have been resolved.
“Mr President is really interested in our budget increment,” Otuaro reiterated.
The PAP administrator said, “Even though Nigeria is presently going through economic challenges, it will phase out very soon.
“So, I appeal to you, ladies and gentlemen, my brothers and my leaders, to continue to give Mr President your support.
“The president has goodwill towards the development of the Niger Delta, especially the issue of our East-West road. He is serious about it. The contract has been re-awarded to a Chinese firm which, by the grace of God, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, they will start work very soon”.
He appealed to Niger Delta youths to discountenance the rumours being peddled about the possibility of a protest against the authorities on October 1.”
Otuaro, however, appealed to the people to sustain the regional peace, saying“We are partners in progress. Protests for decades have never done us any good. Rather, they have resulted in investors running away.
“So, it is time for us to play our role to see that this peace process in the Niger Delta region continues to continue to the end, and core investors, even our private investments too, attract more investors to this region.
“This is no time for us to be used for self-serving interests again. We must all endeavour to continue to make the Niger Delta region peaceful.”
According to him, as far as PAP is concerned, all stakeholders are partners for peace, development and growth in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.
“We should continue to give our support to our communities, our region, to this country land Mr President.
“You are number one partners in the sustenance of the existing peace that government has seen in the Niger Delta and peace will bring more development to the region,” the PAP Administrator submitted.
Otuaro disclosed that PAP is already reviewing its vocational training programmes to incorporate infrastructural and human development.
Some of the beneficiaries commended the federal government for its relentless efforts in changing the hitherto uncomplimentary narratives about the Niger Delta region, promising their unalloyed support to the authorities in this regard.
