Otuaro: PAP will support military to tackle crude oil theft in Niger Delta

Dennis Otuaro, the administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has pledged support for the defence headquarters joint monitoring team in combating crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.

Otuaro spoke in Abuja on Thursday during a courtesy visit by members of the team, led by Jamil Jimoh, a major general, to the PAP office.

He noted the importance of supporting the team in tackling illegal oil bunkering and protecting vital infrastructure.

In a statement, Igoniko Oduma, special assistant on media to Otuaro, said the administrator reaffirmed the PAP’s readiness to collaborate with the team as part of his mandate from President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro said Tinubu prioritises the Niger Delta region’s challenges, noting that oil production has risen to 1.8 million barrels daily due to intensified anti-theft efforts.

“I know that the essence of the PAP is for national and human security in the country and the region,” the statement reads.

“We are going to work with you at any time. It’s part of the things we can do within the mandate given to me by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Based on that, we will collaborate with you to ensure the eradication of oil bunkering and other related activities in the Niger Delta.

“The country’s oil production output is on the rise and has reached 1.8 million barrels per day, as announced sometime last week by the NNPCL.

“We are confident that it will increase more than that.”

Otuaro added that the PAP is intensifying the reintegration phase of its programme through formal education, vocational training, and post-training empowerment of delegates and women.

He added that engagements with stakeholders are ongoing to foster peace and stability in the region.

The administrator stressed that with increased funding, the programme’s expanding scope could be better managed to enhance national security and stability.

On his part, Jimoh said the visit was part of the team’s tour of the Niger Delta to engage stakeholders and strengthen partnerships.

Jimoh commended Otuaro for his efforts in maintaining peace in the region.

“We have been in the Niger Delta, and we have met with some stakeholders. But we felt that it is very important that we also visit the administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme that was established by the federal government and has brought peace to the Niger Delta,” he said.

“The administrator knows a lot about that general area. He knows the people and what is happening there, and he will guide us on some of the things we want to do.

“We know that he has been doing a lot to make sure things are happening underground in the Niger Delta to maintain peace and stability. So, we decided to meet him and his team today.”