The Office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) said it had begun investigations into fraudulent activities of some contractors and vendors engaged to train and empower former agitators.

The Interim Administrator, PAP, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio, in a statement in Port Harcourt, at the weekend, said already, preliminary investigations revealed that some contractors were involved in scams with the aid of internal persons in the programme.

Recall that Ijaw leaders, last week, alleged PAP contractors, who were mainly top politicians, did not spend up to 15 per cent of funds given to them to train and empower beneficiaries.

Dikio, however, assured that ongoing probe would not stop payment of contractors, whose documents had been verified, immediately funds were released.

He said before the end of last year, the Office paid 104 contractors owed by the scheme, adding that payments would continue based on availability of funds till every genuine contractor receives money.

He said: “Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has uncovered unsavoury acts of fraud perpetrated by some vendors/contractors. The office is currently investigating these activities to determine how widespread and extent of involvement or connivance with internal elements within the programme.

“While this investigation is ongoing, it will not stop payment of those whose contracts and documents have been verified and reconciled, as soon as expected funds are released.

“ It would be recalled that before end of 2020, PAP paid a minimum of 104 contractors that had hitherto been owed. This process will continue until everyone is paid, subject to availability of funds…”

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