PAP: “I Will Deal Directly With The Delegates And Not With Any General Or Camp Leader”___Says Otuaro As He Meets Third Phase Generals -

By Freeborn Abraye

The administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, High Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, has today the 24Th June, 2024, held a meeting with the Third Phase Generals, Camp Leader and Stakeholders of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

The meeting which was an avenue for the Generals and Stakeholders to have a one on one conversation with the Administrator, on how to collectively forge ideas that will project the Amnesty Programme to greater heights, was a huge success. As Generals and Stakeholders who were present, freely expressed themselves, pointing out their grievances, frustration and displeasures for the past administrations of the Amnesty Programme.

During the meeting, Dr. Dennis Otuaro assured the Stakeholders that he is ready and willing to do everything within his powers to bring to fruition the earnest expectations of every Niger Deltan when it comes to the Amnesty Programme.

He went on to inform the stakeholders that his administration will not deal with any General or Camp Leaser directly when it comes to issues that has to do with the delegates. Because this dealing directly with the Generals and Camp Leaders has created a rift between the Generals and their boys.
Revealing that he currently has a large number of complaints regarding this particular issue on his desk.

He as such, promised the delegates that he will directly deal with them and not with their Leaders. So that issue such as delegates names been shortchanged and other whose stipends were not paid in full by their Generals and Leaders will not come up again.

One of the Stakeholders who was present in the meeting, General Bounanawei assured the Administrator that he will do everything he can to support him in achieving his vision for a better and well structured amnesty Programme.

General Bounanawei went on to reveal to the Administrator that the leaders and delegates of the third phase of the Amnesty Programme have been kept in bondage by the previous administrations. As he emphasized that since the establishment and inclusion of the third phase Generals into the Presidential Amnesty Programme after laying down their arms, the leaders have not been paid nor sent for training. As such urged the Administrator to use his good will and office to facilitate the payment and subsequent training of the Leaders.

Another Stakeholder by the name Momo Wilberforce on his part, advised the Administrator to consider including those Niger Deltans who are currently in public institutions into the Amnesty Programme. Stating that as Niger Deltans, they have the right just like every other person to benefit from the Amnesty Programme, and not be treated as though they are outsiders.

He went further by saying that since the Amnesty Programme came into existence, the Administrators who have piloted it’s affairs have always portrayed it as a programme that is made for just those in private schools or institutions. Saying this narrative has disenfranchised many bonafide Sons and Daughters of the Niger Delta region from benefiting from the Programme.

He as well emphasized that most of the persons benefiting from the programme did not contribute even a quarter of what many of those in public institutions contributed. On that note, says it is only fair for the Administrator to take a critical look into this matter and make adequate provisions for those in public institutions. So that they can also enjoy the benefits enjoyed by others.

Furthermore, Mr. Momo also used the avenue to charge Dr. Dennis Otuaro to take the issue of supervision of projects and contracts given out to individuals and firms seriously. Stating that due to lack of thorough supervision, most contractors have failed in their duties. As they usually use substandard materials and equipments to train the delegates.

He highlighted that some of the contractors engaged by the amnesty program have over time, reduced the number of delegates sent by the amnesty office for training.

While giving instances, Mr. Momo alleged that some of the contractors out of 50 delegates sent by the amnesty for training, deliberately removes the names of some delegates from the list. Thereby keeping whatever funds or resources provided by Amnesty for the training of those delegates for themselves.

He also stated that during empowerment of trained delegates, some contractors and firms select out a particular number of delegates to be empowered. While they lie to the others that their names were not part of the list sent by Amnesty for empowerment, and as such should wait for another empowerment which he said never come to pass.

On the above premise, the Stakeholder urged the Administrator to set up a team to not only inspect the facilities that are to be used for training of delegates, but to also checkmate the contractors and firms at all times. So as to ensure that they are all carrying out their respective responsibilities properly.

Consequently, another stakeholder on his part expressed his gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu for picking Dr. Dennis Otuaro to man the office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. Asserting that Dr. Dennis who is a product of the struggle is the right man to occupy the seat, and that he has all that is required to stabilize the Amnesty Programme. Because he understands the yearnings, sufferings and aspirations of the people of the Niger Delta region.

Prince Layefa who hails from Arogbo community in Ese-Odo local government area in Ondo State, also added his voice to other Stakeholders who made one or two comments in the meeting. Where he admonished the Administrator to lay adequate emphasis on the vocational training centers built by the amnesty. Stating that some of the training centers which have been completed and equipped for a long period of time have not been put to use.
He particularly pointed out the one in Agadagba Oboun in Arogbo, which he said has staffs working there, but no form of training been carried out.

So he used the medium to urge the Administrator to look in the direction of putting these training centers to use, so that they can serve the purpose for which they were built.

Finally, a Stakeholder from the Itsekiri extraction, the National President of the Itsekiri Federated Youths, Mr. Godwin Odudukele also threw more weight on the earlier advise of General Bounanawei to Dr. Dennis. Where he advised the Administrator to handle the issue of Generals and Camp Leaders shortchanging names of delegates under them with those of their Girlfriends, cronies and Allie’s seriously.

Mr. Godwin added that this dubious, selfish and greedy act of the Generals and Camp Leaders has led to delegates who placed their lives on the line to fight for the liberation and emancipation of the Niger Delta region, which brought about the Amnesty Programme to be deprived of their right. On that premise, he charged the Administrator to fish out all those Generals and Camp Leaders involved in this, and have done this injustice to their own brothers and fellow Niger Deltans, and deal with them accordingly.