From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Search for Common Ground has announced plans to address the myriad of challenges bedevilling the Niger Delta region like oil bunkering , environmental degradation and social exclusion.
Its Country Director, Fatima Abubakar, who stated this on Tuesday in Abuja, at a press briefing, said the European Union-funded project would foster inclusive community security approaches that will address the causes of criminality in the region.
According to her, the initiative titled: ‘A Community-Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta Project,’ would be launched by Search for Common Ground (SEARCH) and its consortium partners, the Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN). Academic Associate Peace Works (AAPW), and Partnership Initiative for the Niger Delta (PIND).
She said: “As you may well be aware, the Niger Delta, which is famous for its immense natural resources and rich cultural heritage, has been a theatre of unrest with multiple conflicts linked majorly to socio-economic agitations.
“The agitations which are a by-product of the lack of inclusive wealth distribution, environmental degradation arising from oil exploration, and the absence of commensurate community focused development, have become the negative signature of the region’s conflict profile.
“This exclusive pre-launch press conference sets the stage for a significant leap in our collective efforts to respond and foster inclusive community security approaches that will address the root causes of violence and criminality in the Niger Delta.
“Recognising Search’s globally acknowledged commitment to peace-building, and the indelible footprints of our consortium partners in the region, we wish to convey our deep understanding of the local context, challenges, and conflict dynamics that characterize communities in the region.
“The efforts as represented in the Community Centred Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in Niger Delta Project, adopts a community-led approach which encourages local communities to proffer home-grown solutions to the myriad of conflict drivers in their communities.”
She pointed out that the 18-month project will be implemented in 33 Local Government Areas and 66 communities in Bayelsa Delta, and Rivers States.
“While all the 8 LGAs in Bayelsa are beneficiaries of the project, 12 and 13 LGAs in Delta and Rivers State, have been selected respectively.
“The project LGAs in Bayelsa include: Ekeremor, Nembe, Yenagoo, Ogbia, Brass, Southern Ijaw. Kolokuma/Opokama and Sagbama
“In Delta the LGAs are: Bomadi, Burutu Udu, Ughelli North, Uvwie, Isoko North, Ndokwa East, Warri- West, Ethiope East, Sapele, Warri South, and Warri North.
“However, in Rivers State, the 13 LGAs include: Ahonda East, Ahoada West, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Andoni, Emohua, Eleme, Gokana, Khana, Obio Akpor, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Okrika, and Port Harcourt,” she noted.
She, also, explained that part of the strategies to be adopted will be “inclusive capacity building activities targeting young people, women, community leaders and security actors.
“Other activities include inclusive transformative dialogues: multimedia peace campaigns, and reasonable support for locally driven economic stimulant initiatives that will be implemented by innovative community-led project governing structures.”
At the end, she said the project will foster collaboration within communities to address social exclusion, economic challenges, and environmental degradation, and
“Also, it will encourage dialogue and cooperation to collectively address dural challenges and foster stainable development.
“Building Trust through Participatory Security Operations (Stream 2
“The project will encourage the establishment of trust and collaboration between communities and government/security actors for more participatory, centred security operations, and
“Promote transparency and inclusivity in security measures to enhance community engagement and cooperation.”