Ex-agitators from Akwa Ibom state have urged the new administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme(PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro to address the injustices against them over the years.
The ex agitators while commending President Bola Tinubu over the appointment of Otuaro as the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) administrator, complained that they have been marginalized by previous administrators of the programme in Akwa Ibom state.
In a statement signed by the chairman Imo Okoko in Uyo and made available to newsmen on Sunday, under auspices of Akwa Ibom Ex-Militants Forum(Phase II Presidential Amnesty Programme) the choice of Otuaro as the new PAP administrator was an eloquent testimony to Tinubu’s good intentions for Ex-Militants and the Niger Delta region as a whole.
“We want to state here that Mr. President has made the right choice for the Presidential Amnesty Office and we are sure that you will bring your wealth of experience to sustain and transform the Presidential Amnesty Programme to achieve its aims.
“We also use this opportunity to thank President Bola Amed Tinubu for appointing High Chief (Dr.) Dennis Otuaro as the Presidential Amnesty Boss, this shows that Mr. President means well for the Niger Delta people and the Ex-Agitators”, the statement reads in parts.
They urged the new Presidential Amnesty Programme administrator to reposition the Amnesty Programme to achieve its original mandate adding that such engagements will stem the resurgence of youth restiveness in the region.
The statement further reads, “We also want to bring to your notice the marginalization and maltreatment meted against the Akwa Ibom Ex-Militants by the Presidential Amnesty Office over the years. These include:
“None payment of seven (7) months stipends arrears to 20 beneficiaries under the Niger Delta Liberation Movement since 2014 despite court judgment mandating Amnesty Office to pay the beneficiaries.
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“None payment of leader’s entitlement to Mr. Imoh Okoko despite passing through leadership training organized by the Presidential Amnesty Office in Calabar in 2014.
“Also we regret to bring to your notice the sudden stoppage of the stipends payment of twenty-two (22) members out of Forty-Six (46) members of Ukanafun Freedom Fighters shortly after commencement of payment by the Presidential Amnesty Office in 2010 despite several efforts made to the office to correct this anomalies.
“We also want to bring to your notice that camp leaders in Akwa Ibom State have not been invited to stakeholders meeting by the Presidential Amnesty Office especially Mr. Imoh Okoko which we believe is a forum where concerns of each group and state supposed to be address.
“It is sad to inform you that none of Akwa Ibom State beneficiaries has not been engaged in educational or vocational training and empowerment since inception of the Presidential Amnesty Programme despite our plea for consideration of our members for training and empowerment.
“The above are some of the injustices suffered by Akwa Ibom Ex-Militants under the Presidential Amnesty Programme and we therefore hoped and believe that your appointment and assumption of office is divine and that you would use your good offices to address these injustices and marginalization against Akwa Ibom Ex-Militants.” he said.
