Moni Commends Otuaro Reforms, Says PAP Not Responsible For Resolving BVN Issues

Urges affected ex-agitators to visit their banks, warns against blackmail

By Monday Peters, Abuja

Prominent Niger Delta leader, Chief Ebis Moni, has commended the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Chief Dennis Otuaro, PhD, for the reforms being carried out at the Amnesty Office, describing them as necessary steps to reposition the programme for greater efficiency.

Chief Moni, in a statement issued on Thursday in Warri, Delta State, said the ongoing verification and sanitization of the Amnesty payment system was a bold move that would restore confidence and ensure that genuine beneficiaries were not shortchanged.

He, however addressed the recent complaints by some alleged ex-agitators over Bank Verification Number (BVN) related payment issues, clarifying that the Amnesty Office was not responsible for resolving BVN problems.

According to him, BVN issues are strictly banking matters which can only be resolved by the individual’s bank.

“The Amnesty Office pays beneficiaries, it does not manage BVN. If your BVN has issues, if your account name does not match your BVN, or if your account is restricted, you should go to your bank to rectify it. The Amnesty Office cannot resolve BVN for you,” Chief Moni stated.

He urged all affected ex-agitators to visit their respective banks to regularize their BVN and account details instead of blaming the Amnesty Office.

Chief Moni also warned against attempts by some individuals to use the BVN issue as a tool to blackmail and tarnish the image of the Amnesty boss.

“It is unfair and unacceptable for anyone to use BVN issues to blackmail Chief Otuaro. The reforms he is carrying out are in the best interest of all of us. We should support him, not blackmail him,” he warned.

He called on stakeholders and ex-agitators in the Niger Delta to remain calm, law-abiding and to support the Otuaro-led administration to achieve its mandate of sustaining peace and development in the region.