Otuaro Urges Stakeholders To Support Tinubu’s Efforts To Develop Niger Delta

Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has stated that President Bola Tinubu has a strong political commitment to the Niger Delta’s long-term development, stability, and peace.

This came as he stated that community members and Niger Delta stakeholders play an important role in ensuring the region’s progress.

On Wednesday, Otuaro spoke at the Technical Session of the Niger Delta Stakeholders’ Summit 2024, themed “Renewed Hope for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta” and hosted by the NDDC in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

His remarks were made in a press release issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma.

Otuaro expressed confidence in Tinubu’s stated commitment to the region’s rapid progress, emphasising that the President would not disappoint the people.

He did, however, emphasise that without stakeholders and community members contributing their fair share to peaceful initiatives, the communities in the area may struggle to achieve long-term growth and development.

Otuaro emphasised that the PAP’s penultimate week included a four-day stakeholders’ engagement in Warri, Delta State, to underscore Mr President’s genuine desire for long-term peace and regional growth under his renewed hope mantra.

The PAP boss, while emphasising the importance of stakeholders in community development, advocated for project designs and contract models that take into account the unique characteristics of riverine and upland communities.

He stated, “Stakeholder engagement by the NDDC has long been expected. That is why, two weeks ago, the Presidential Amnesty Programme organised stakeholder meetings (in Warri, Delta State) to assure everyone about Mr. President’s renewed hope agenda.

“The President has the political will to support the Niger Delta’s development.” We are confident that he will not disappoint us, but we, as community members and stakeholders, have a role to play because the peace we seek is for us and comes first, before oil. When there is no peace in our villages, many of us will be unable to visit them.

“As a result, stakeholder engagement is an important component in the design of community projects. The NDDC’s management understands the importance of peace and stability in the development of the Niger Delta.

“Peace, security, and stability are dependent on stakeholders such as traditional rulers, youths, women, and others, many of whom have become disenchanted with the NDDC’s operations. “And people have no idea what is going on.”

The PAP leader urged all stakeholders to use the NDDC stakeholders’ summit to encourage the interventionist agency to meet its regional objectives.

He went on to say, “Today, all of us as stakeholders should seize the opportunity of this dialogue and encourage NDDC management to continue this stakeholder engagement.

“When we encourage them, they will seek our advice on projects in our areas, particularly those that address immediate community needs.

“I understand that the terrains of NDDC states differ, but my appeal is that for projects to be sited in riverine areas, the NDDC should take a critical look at the designs because they are the contracting models. Compare your contact methods in riverine communities to those in upland areas.