November 21, (THEWILL) – The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has assured the Defence Headquarters Joint Monitoring Team of PAP’s full support in their efforts to curb crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.
Dr. Otuaro made the pledge when the team, led by Major General Jamil Jimoh, paid him a courtesy visit at the PAP office in Abuja on Thursday.
He expressed the PAP’s readiness to assist the team in its mission to tackle the persistent challenges of illegal oil bunkering and attacks on critical oil infrastructure in the region.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Igoniko Oduma, Otuaro emphasised that supporting the joint monitoring team was a key component of his mandate under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He also lauded the strides made in addressing oil theft, noting that Nigeria’s oil production had risen to 1.8 million barrels per day due to ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
He said, “I know that the essence of the PAP is for national and human security, both in the country and the region. We will collaborate with you at any time, as part of the mandate entrusted to me by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We are committed to working together to eradicate oil bunkering and other related activities in the Niger Delta. We are confident that the rise in oil production will be sustained and even exceed 1.8 million barrels per day.”
The PAP administrator further highlighted the programme’s ongoing efforts in the reintegration phase, which includes formal education, vocational training, and post-training empowerment initiatives for delegates, beneficiaries, and women.
He reiterated the importance of deeper stakeholder engagement for lasting peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
Dr. Otuaro also noted that additional funding would help expand the programme’s scope, enabling better management and alignment with national security and stability objectives.
Earlier, Jimoh expressed gratitude to Otuaro for his leadership and the role of PAP in fostering peace in the region.
He underscored the importance of PAP’s support to the team’s efforts and praised Otuaro’s in-depth knowledge of the Niger Delta, which he described as crucial for the success of their operations.
“We have been in the Niger Delta, meeting with stakeholders, and we felt it was essential to visit the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which was established by the Federal Government and has played a significant role in bringing peace to the region.
“Dr. Otuaro’s understanding of the people and the dynamics of the region will guide us in our efforts,” Jimoh stated.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
