On Monday, July 22, 2024, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Administrator, High Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, made an official visit to the program’s Delta/Edo States Liaison Office in Warri, Delta State.
The visit began with a warm welcome from the office’s Manager, Captain Presley Prebor, and Assistant Manager, Prince Seleakpo Botu. Dr. Otuaro was accompanied by Technical Adviser Mr. Daniel Edgar Biu, General Manager of Operations for Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited Sir Godfrey Tare Pondi, Chief Fezigha Odu, Chief Ebimobowei Oguma, Special Adviser to the Administrator Chief Moses Bebenimibo, Engr. Ebikonde Victor Sokoto, and other notable individuals.
In line with the Ijaw tradition of hospitality, the Manager and employees entertained the visitors after initial pleasantries. Dr. Otuaro then addressed the staff, urging them to collaborate closely with the Head Office in Abuja on information sharing and other matters pertinent to the PAP. He emphasized that such collaboration would foster a cooperative working relationship between the liaison office and the Head Office.
Dr. Otuaro warned the staff against conducting personal business during office hours, threatening dismissal for those who did so. He reminded them that their primary duties included properly engaging PAP delegates and reporting any issues to the Head Office.
He also directed the management of the liaison office to report any office-related issues hindering productivity to the Head Office promptly, ensuring a progressive and positive working environment. Additionally, he stressed that the liaison office should be accessible for addressing legitimate grievances from delegates and forwarding them to the Head Office for resolution.
Dr. Otuaro reiterated that the Presidential Amnesty Programme is a nonpartisan agency and advised the staff to refrain from discussing politics or related matters while performing their official duties. He emphasized that all activities in the liaison office should support the Head Office in maintaining and advancing peace in the Niger Delta region, which is the program’s primary objective.
The Administrator urged the staff to be courteous and patient when attending to delegates, noting that the liaison office is often the first point of contact for those unable to travel to the main office in Abuja. He advised the staff to handle delegates’ concerns appropriately and emphasized that the office should provide solutions to the issues presented by delegates, contributing to the overall peace process in the Niger Delta region.
Captain Presley Prebor, speaking on behalf of the liaison office, expressed gratitude to Dr. Otuaro for visiting and said his presence would motivate and boost the confidence of the staff. Captain Prebor then presented a list of needs to ensure the office runs smoothly and improves working conditions for the employees.
The most pressing need, according to Captain Prebor, was for more office space, as the current space, initially designed for eight employees, now houses 22 staff members, leading to congestion. Assistant Manager Prince Seleakpo Botu supported this request, emphasizing that addressing the space issue would enable the liaison office’s management and employees to fulfill their statutory obligations to the PAP more effectively.
