*** Says BVN Policy Against Bank Fraud Must Be Upheld
The Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, has condemned in strong terms the blackmail and campaign of calumny against its Administrator, Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, by some misguided elements from the Niger Delta.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Igoniko Oduma, the Office said the PAP under Dr. Otuaro will not succumb to blackmail sponsored by fraudsters who do not mean well for the region.
The statement stressed that those sponsoring write-ups against the decision to adhere to the Federal Government's policy on Bank Verification Number, BVN, which links all bank accounts belonging to individuals, need to have a rethink.
According to the statement, the funds approved for the running of the programme will be deployed efficiently in pursuit of lasting peace and security in the Niger Delta, and urged members of the public to dismiss the false and misleading allegations being peddled by unscrupulous characters with the intention to malign Dr. Otuaro's reputation and distract him from the good job he is doing.
The statement further stressed that the Administrator's accusers are unhappy about his prudent management of resources and the reforms he has initiated to sanitize and rid the Office of all forms of fraudulent practices that had impeded the smooth execution of the programme's mandate.
"It has come to the attention of the Office that a group of people are making spurious allegations over the PAP leadership's adherence to the policy on BVN. We strongly condemn these allegations.
"The PAP office cannot be the exception in the execution of the government's policy on BVN designed to eradicate corruption in the society," the statement quoted.
"Clearly, anybody using the tool of blackmail to arm-twist the office to sideline BVN is either a criminal or a fraudster who should be under security watch. The Office has asked them to come for verification of their claims, but they will not.
"These serial blackmailers are purveyors of falsehood and hollow narratives; they are driven by sheer greed with the sole objective of denting Dr. Otuaro's image and distracting him from focusing on the task given to him by President Bola Tinubu.
"These misguided elements are angry with Dr. Otuaro for prudent management of resources, and introducing reforms that have sanitized the PAP. It is a fact that the Administrator has plugged all the loopholes which they and their ilk had hitherto manipulated for their selfish interests.
"Many of them are angered by what is statutorily paid to them by the Office. The BVN policy is a policy of the Federal Government, not the PAP's.
"Some want to be awarded bogus contracts which, the Office under Dr. Otuaro, is not inclined to do. These are the reasons for their persistent attacks against him," the statement added.
The statement noted that Dr. Otuaro's prudent management of resources and unwavering commitment to duty have resulted in efficient service delivery and advancement of human capital development for sustainable peace, stability and development of the region.
It added that the Administrator's decision to take the programme to the people of the region is evident in the unprecedented 13,300 onshore and over 500 offshore scholarships awarded and the distribution of laptops to beneficiaries.
"Apart from the expansion of scholarship opportunities, the Administrator has ensured prompt payment of ex-agitators' monthly stipends and others.
"Additionally, four cadet pilots, 20 other aviation trainees are gainfully employed after training; 40 cadets were engaged in on-the-job training, 98 maritime cadets received professional certification, and over 360 stakeholders trained on alternative dispute resolution and mediation.
"Deliberate steps have also been taken to promote stakeholders' engagement to deepen the peace-building process in the region, among others.
"The PAP, under Dr. Otuaro's leadership, will not be stampeded into using funds meant for the educational and vocational empowerment of Niger Delta youths to satisfy the large appetites of serial blackmailers and their sponsors," the statement said.
The Office, according to the statement, expressed appreciation to its stakeholders and leaders of the Niger Delta for supporting Dr. Otuaro and identifying with his vision to build a solid foundation for the region's future, sustainable peace, socio-economic growth and community development.
