The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief Dennis Otuaro, revealed on Friday that President Bola Tinubu has approved an upward review of the budgetary allocation to the PAP office in the 2025 budget.
He made this known in Warri, Delta State, during a meeting with ex-agitators from the Niger Delta, spanning phases 1, 2, and 3 of the Amnesty Programme.
This is the second time Otuaro has met with the ex-agitators since assuming office earlier this year.
While addressing the delegates, he said, “I want to reassure you that Mr. President is interested in our budget review. In the 2025 budget, our budget will be reviewed upward to accommodate more persons, particularly more women,” Otuaro reiterated.
Speaking on challenges faced by some individuals in receiving their monthly stipends, the PAP Administrator stated, “Many challenges, such as the BVN issues faced by some persons, have been resolved.
“And every other issue will be resolved under my leadership. As long as the challenge is genuine and within the PAP coverage area, I will do everything within my power to resolve it.”
Regarding scholarships, the PAP boss said the portal for registration was opened earlier this year until last month, stressing that no fewer than twenty-five thousand applications were received.
Otuaro, who noted that the education desk is working hard on the selection process, added that before anyone is shortlisted for the scholarship, a thorough background check will be conducted.
“As you all know, our scholarship portal was open from earlier this year until last month. Over twenty-five thousand people applied, which is a large number.
“But the education desk will soon commence the selection process. However, before anyone is selected, a thorough background check on the community the applicant claims will be carried out.
“I am going to contact the community chairman, the camp leader, and any other person I can for verification.
“But of course, we cannot leave out some people. For instance, if an applicant scored 350 in their JAMB, we may not go through all these processes.
“Such applicants will be considered without much background check. Our people will be given the opportunity to acquire an education.”
Speaking on vocational training and empowerment, the PAP boss noted, “We are going to enhance the vocational training. We will also review our empowerment programme. But we are not going to give anyone a starter pack just like that.
“When we identify your area of interest, we will attach you to an organization involved in what you are interested in. After spending about a year there, we can then empower you to start your own business.”
On the proposed nationwide protest scheduled for October 1, Otuaro urged the ex-agitators to encourage their people not to join the protest, assuring them that President Tinubu is doing everything possible to address the challenges in the region.
As a reference, the PAP boss disclosed that the Federal Government had awarded the East-West Road project to a Chinese company, assuring that work would commence shortly.
In their separate responses, the ex-agitators assured Otuaro that no one from the region would join the protest, stressing that the few months Tinubu has spent in office are not enough to judge his performance.
