A Niger Delta Leader and former freedom fighter in the region, Reuben Wilson, has canvassed for a review of the budget for the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
Wilson noted that with the current economic realities and for the new leadership to succeed, there is need for the agency’s budget to have an upward review.
He disclosed that since 2009 when the PAP was established, it has operated under the same budget for welfare and training of beneficiaries.
Wilson in a statement, yesterday, said it would be difficult for PAP, under Dr Dennis Otuaro, to succeed if adequate funds were not provided by the Federal Government.
The ex-agitator thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Otuaro as the administrator of the programme, assuring greater impacts under him.
He said: “The upward review of the annual budget of the Presidential Amnesty Programme is long overdue and it is greatly hindering the proper and effective execution of the objectives of the programme. There’s therefore an urgent need for an upward review of the budget, especially now that we have a sincere, competent and critical stakeholder as the administrator of the programme.
He said he was “highly elated that Dennis Otuaro is in charge of the programme now.
“I know that he has the capacity to unite all the beneficiaries and critical stakeholders of the programme, owing to his level of competent, leadership and experience in the Niger Delta struggle.
“I’m therefore, appealing that Mr President should upwardly review the annual budget of the programme and bring it up to speed with the current realities to enable the new administrator effectively reposition the programme for better results.”
The South-South coordinator of The Asiwaju Group further said: “Otuaro has been part of the struggle for the survival of the Niger Delta people from the beginning and therefore, knows what to do to revitalise and reposition the Presidential Amnesty Programme if given the right financial resources.
“He is adequately prepared and has the requisite experience and knowledge to successfully pilot the affairs of the Presidential Amnesty office to greater heights.”
He was optimistic that the amnesty boss would successfully redeem and redirect the office to achieve its primary and fundamental objectives.
He played a crucial role in the activities that led to the establishment of the programme and therefore wouldn’t allow the programme to continue its derailment and bastardisation under his watch.
“There’s therefore an urgent need for the programme’s yearly budget to be reviewed upward, to enable him execute his mandate efficiently and effectively. Making available adequate funding for the programme is a necessary support that will certainly empower the new administrator to better discharge his responsibilities.”
