Group Calls On Relevant Stakeholders To Ignore Allegations Against Otuaro

 

 A group known as Concerned Niger Delta Youths, has called on the federal government and the international community, Niger Deltans and Presidential Amnesty Programme beneficiaries to  disregard the allegations heaped  on Dr Dennis  Otuaro, the Administrator of PAP describing the allegations of fraud as baseless, wicked and callous.

In a statement on Sunday signed by the Convener of the group, General Emmanuel Satu, it alleged that a  group which calls itself " the reformed Niger Delta ex-agitators  forum and led by its National Chairman, Owoupele Eneoriekumoh Owous, had allegedly  blackmailed Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro of commiting fraud at the amnesty office. 

But the group dispelled the allegation instead stated that Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro has implemented policies that have revamped and repositioned the Amnesty Office for optimal performance. 

The statements reads: "Recently a group known as the reformed Niger Delta ex-agitators  forum wrote what it calls a 'Protest Petition to Security Agencies' and made damning and unsubstantiated allegations against Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro, a man who is busy doing his work at the Amnesty Office. 

"In the letter, the group alleged that there was endemic corruption in the Amnesty Office, that Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro has treated them unfairly and has threatened to kill protesters at the popular Mbiama Junction, in Bayelsa.

 "These allegations are baseless, wicked and callous and we condemn it in its entirety. 

"To address the above allegations, we, the Concerned Niger Delta Youths' want the world to know that since Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro was appointed into office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu he has exhibited transparency, accountability and prudent management of amnesty funds. 

"Not too long ago, an audit of the Amnesty Office showed he has performed creditably since his appointment. 

"The Amnesty Office that was characterized by unwholesome practices has now been sanitized, Beneficiaries are paid their monthly stipend regularly and on time and the core objective of the programme is being achieved. 

"We make bold to say that allegations of unfair treatment is a figment of the imagination of the above mentioned organization. 

"Also,the allegations of sponsoring criminals and threats to kill protesters is blackmail and propaganda taken too far and we condemn it. Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro is a peace-loving man .

"Even in the face of relentless propaganda and blackmail from his own brothers, he has been calm and focused on his job. Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro is part of the struggle for the emancipation of the people of Niger Delta, he is a seasoned technocrat and astute administrator and he is a law-abiding and patriotic citizen of Nigeria. He knows for a fact that it is the constitutional right of all Nigerians to peaceful protest and Assembly. 

"The reformed Niger Delta ex-agitators forum, should stop defaming Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro because of their paymasters and be cautious in their careless vituperations and rhetorics. And so allegations of his plan to syphon the increased budgetary allocation for the Amnesty Office should be totally disregarded. 

"Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro has been prudent with Amnesty funds, he has been transparent and accountable and the core objectives of the Presidential Amnesty Programme are being achieved and beneficiaries are happy with him.

"To promote peace and stability in the Niger Delta region, Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro has criss-crossed the length and breath of the region, speaking with governors, elder statesmen, opinion leaders, women and youth groups including beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

 "Members of this group are paid their monthly stipend promptly and there are plans to enlarge the scope of the programme to ensure more benefits to ex-agitators. And that's why we say that their claims of unfair treatment is baseless.

"Concerning claims that Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro plans to bring unauthorized persons into the Amnesty Programme, we, the, Concerned Niger Delta Youths' say that the allegations are unfounded and smacks of ignorance.

" It is a well known fact that Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro is well known around the Niger Delta as being part of the struggle for justice, equity and fairness. 

" Our position is very clear, and if those planning to protest against Dr Dennis Otuaro, we will stage the 'Mother of All Protest' across the Niger Delta.

"We once again appeal to the federal government, and especially the international community including the US and UK to disregard the claims against Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro. 

"The Presidential Amnesty Programme under the able leadership of Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro has been very impactful to the youths of our region. As Concerned Youths of Niger Delta, we are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remain steadfast with him by giving him the necessary support and encouragement in  form of increased funding to achieve the core objectives of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which we agree is in line with president's 8 Point Renewed Hope Agenda.

"Lastly, we enjoin the federal government through the National Security Adviser, Service Chiefs and Inspector General of Police to double their effort towards all peace initiatives in the Niger Delta while working with the Amnesty Office under the stewardship of Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro to sustain the tempo of growth and development in the Niger Delta region, while assuring you all that we will work with you to achieve all set goals." The statement concluded.