As, beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) voice concerns about the non-receipt of their stipends for the month of March, officials responsible have explained the reasons for the delays.
According to the Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr Igoniko Oduma, the stipends of some beneficiaries have not been paid due to bank glitches. He said one of the banks, UBA assured that it has processed the refund for the failed transactions into the beneficiaries’ accounts.
The Amnesty Office, having received complaints from some beneficiaries, had sought an explanation from the bank for the delay. The Office confirmed that it had disbursed the March stipends to all beneficiaries’ accounts and the funds had already left its accounts.
The Office said it is set to collaborate with UBA to ensure that all outstanding payment issues are resolved. It thereafter expressed gratitude to all beneficiaries for their patience and display of patriotism in reacting to this unexpected development.
The Office stated, “We thank all beneficiaries for their patience and display of patriotism in reacting to this unexpected development.”
The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) is an initiative by the Nigerian government, aimed at addressing long-standing issues in the Niger Delta region. The PAP was established in 2009 as part of the government’s efforts to quell unrest and militancy in the Niger Delta. The region, rich in oil, had been plagued by conflicts stemming from local grievances over oil revenues and environmental degradation.
The programme began with a disarmament process where repentant militants voluntarily surrendered their weapons to the Federal Government. Over 29,000 ex-militants were disarmed, marking a significant step towards peace and stability in the region.
Following disarmament, the ex-militants underwent demobilization, which involved collecting essential information, counselling, training, and documentation before they were enrolled in the programme. The aim was to reintegrate them into society as entrepreneurs or employable citizens contributing positively to the economy of the Niger Delta.
