PAP: Rivers’ Monarch applauds Otuaro over laudable achievements

By Peters Monday, Abuja

The paramount ruler of the ancient Okochiri Kingdom in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, HRM King Ateke Tom, has commended the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, for the laudable achievements in his administration over the few times in office.

According to him, Otuaro had quietly carried out well-thought-out reforms to reposition the PAP for better and quality service delivery.

The first-class monarch, who stated this when the PAP boss visited him at his palace in Okochiri, maintained that Otuaro had demonstrated that he has the capacity to pilot the affairs of the programme.

Tom stressed that Otuaro’s commitment and passion for efficient service to the people of the Niger Delta were not in doubt.

The monarch warned people he described as the detractors of Otuaro to stop their distractive activities and allow him to concentrate on his job.

According to him, the ill-advised attempts by some characters to pull down Otuaro were condemnable and not in the best interest of the region, delegates and beneficiaries of the PAP.

The traditional ruler described Otuaro as a serious-minded Niger Deltan and a product of the struggle who believes in wide consultation and collaboration with stakeholders for the success of the programme.

The former frontline freedom fighter thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Otuaro, stressing that the president made the right choice in his decision.

The monarch said: “Mr (PAP) Administrator, I want to commend you for all that you are doing to better the programme for our people and our region.

“Since your appointment, I have watched keenly how you have made progress and recorded laudable achievements.

“You are doing well and that is why I want to advise people who are not happy over your appointment to stop distracting you. Must we pull our people down, every time? I call on them to support you instead of doing the unpleasant things they are doing.

“We know you as a person that likes to consult and also collaborate with stakeholders. It is not surprising because as someone who was in the struggle, you have not disappointed us, and we trust that you will not disappoint us.

“The President made the best choice for giving you the position of Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme because you are a very serious minded person, and we have confidence in your ability to better the programme in terms of service delivery for our people.”

In response, Otuaro described Okochiri as an ancient kingdom in Ijaw land, explaining that his visit to the traditional ruler was part of his ongoing consultations and engagements with critical stakeholders of the Niger Delta.

Otuaro stated that King Tom was one of the major Niger Delta activists who was consistent with his advocacy for a better standard of living for the region.

He appreciated King Tom for his fatherly advice and words of encouragement, adding that he and members of his team were poised to continually render quality service in line with the renewed hope agenda of the President.