Beam your searchlight on Presidential Amnesty Programme, NDLEF urges EFCC

The Niger Delta Liberators and Ex Agitators Forum (NDLEF) has called for a comprehensive investigation into the management of public funds within the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP). The NDLEF’s petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raises concerns regarding the allocation of over N50 billion naira intended for the development of the Niger Delta region.

During a press briefing held in Abuja, Odey Otunu, the convener of NDLEF, emphasized the group’s commitment to ensuring accountability in the region’s financial management. He noted that while the government has shown interest in developing the Niger Delta through the release of funds for various initiatives, there are growing concerns among stakeholders about the oversight of these resources. The NDLEF specifically raised questions about the awarding of contracts to certain companies, including Maro-Kana Construction Co. Limited, which they allege has received payments for consultancy services without clear evidence of the company’s operational status.

The group indicated that a search through the Corporate Affairs Commission revealed that the company may not be active. Evidence presented by the NDLEF includes details of payments made to Maro-Kana Construction Co. Limited for consultancy services related to strategic communication and stakeholder management in Bayelsa and Cross Rivers states. They cited transactions amounting to ₦42,976,987.50 for consultancy services for May and June 2024, as well as ₦90,000,000.00 for stakeholder management meetings.

The NDLEF has called on the EFCC to investigate these transactions and the overall management of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. They warned that if no action is taken, they may resort to peaceful protests to advocate for transparency and accountability in the use of public funds intended for the development of the Niger Delta region. The Forum said, “We all acknowledge the interest of the President Bola Tinubu led government in the development of the Niger Delta region through release of funds for Niger Delta oriented government parastatals like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Presidential Amnesty Office.

“However, as a group, we cannot fold hands and watch those who are supposed to be beacons of hope and pilots of the development in the Niger Delta Region, become our nightmares, hence this press briefing is necessary to amplify the plight of the region before things get out of hand. “This is clearly giving a mandate to the company to do what it lacks the legal capacity to do. “A simple search on Corporate Affairs Commission revealed that the company is inactive and therefore does not qualify to bid for government contracts. “Yet this is the company that without any bidding process has received billions of Naira perpetually for organizing fictitious stakeholder meetings only. “If nothing is done, they will engage in peaceful protest to drive home their request.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/02/beam-your-searchlight-on-presidential-amnesty-programme-ndlef-urges-efcc/

Date: 8Feb25