Edith Chuku
The South-South Coordinator of The Asiwaju Group, TAG, Chief Reuben Wilson has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to upwardly review the annual budget of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP.
Wilson who is also the founder of Pastor Reuben Initiative for Good Leadership and Accountability PRIFGLA, made this appeal in a release he made available to TNN on Thursday.
He explained that the call for the amnesty programme upward review was for the betterment of the scheme.
“This appeal is premised on the fact that the annual budget of the Presidential Amnesty Programme with respect to the training and welfare of the beneficiaries has remained the same from the beginning of the programme in 2009 to date, irrespective of the current high cost of living and training of the beneficiaries.
“The upward review of the annual budget of the Presidential Amnesty Programme is long overdue and it’s 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.”
Wilson said he was “highly elated that Otuaro was made to be in charge of PAP at this time of the nation’s history. “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.”
To him, 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 revitalize and reposition the PAP, 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.”
The ex-agitator expressed the belief that the amnesty boss would successfully redirect the PAP office to achieve its primary and fundamental objectives, having played a crucial role in the activities that led to the establishment of the programme.
“There’s therefore, an urgent need for the Programme’s annual 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.”
