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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Benue State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Search for Common Ground (SFCG), an NGO, to enable the implementation of the Rapid Response for Peace (R2forPeace) initiative.
The 24-month project, funded by the Spirit of America Foundation, will ensure immediate protection and early warning support to violence-affected communities in Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states.
Speaking during the MoU signing ceremony in Makurdi, Benue State Governor Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Deborah Aber, said the event reflected his administration’s shared commitment to strengthening collaboration in the promotion of peace, stability and sustainable development across the state.
Governor Alia, who noted that Benue State recognises that lasting development can only thrive in an environment of peace and social cohesion, explained that while Benue is blessed with immense agricultural potential and a resilient population, the government is also mindful of the complex social and security challenges that occasionally affect communities.
He said addressing the challenges requires deliberate partnerships with organisations that bring global experience and tested peacebuilding approaches, noting that Search for Common Ground is widely respected for its work in conflict transformation, dialogue facilitation and community-based peacebuilding initiatives across many parts of the world.
He said, “Their emphasis on constructive engagement, inclusion and collaboration aligns strongly with the priorities of the Benue State Government and one of the immediate areas of cooperation under this partnership is the Rapid Response for Peace initiative, which aims to strengthen the capacity of communities and institutions to respond quickly and constructively to emerging tensions and conflicts.
“Through early engagement, dialogue and preventive interventions, this initiative will support ongoing efforts to sustain peace and stability in our communities.”
Governor Alia, however, emphasised that, “the Memorandum of Understanding we are signing today is not limited to a single programme or intervention. Rather, it establishes a broader framework for collaboration between the Benue State Government and Search for Common Ground over the duration stipulated in the agreement.
“Through this framework, both parties will have the opportunity to explore and implement a range of initiatives that support peacebuilding, community resilience, social cohesion, governance strengthening and other development programmes that contribute to the well-being and prosperity of the people of Benue State.”
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Governor Alia, who expressed the state government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for development partners to operate effectively, said, “through the Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), the government continues to strengthen coordination with bilateral and multilateral partners, international organisations and development institutions to ensure that partnerships are strategic, well-coordinated and impactful.”
He added, “as we sign this Memorandum of Understanding today, we do so with a clear sense of purpose and optimism. We believe that this partnership with Search for Common Ground will support the ongoing efforts of the Benue State Government to promote sustainable peace while opening additional opportunities for collaborative development initiatives in our state.”
Also, African Director, Search for Common Ground, Raj Mulmi, expressed excitement over the development and assured of the organisation’s readiness to play its role towards ensuring that the initiative achieves its set goals and objectives.
Mulmi, who stated that Search is known in communities where they work, said while they recommend policy changes, they would also provide intelligence and lessons learned to help Benue communities and those in other implementing states return to peace and resilience.
Presenting an overview of the Rapid Response for Peace initiative, the Project Manager at Search for Common Ground, Williams Ubimago, said the initiative is aimed at reducing incidences and severity of religious and intergroup violence by creating and strengthening community-based Early Warning Early Response (EWER) systems in Benue that identify and enable rapid responses to tensions and events precipitating broader violence.
It is also expected to improve multi-stakeholder EWER coordination mechanisms, improve trust in government-led conflict response and support rapid responses to conflict triggers in Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states.
According to Ubimago, their activities will include conflict monitoring and reporting training, conflict management training, establishment of community safety and resilience committees, quick-impact economic, livelihood and infrastructure support, and quick-impact community safety, resilience and security initiatives, among other interventions.
Earlier, the Director General, Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD), Leo-Angelo Viashima, assured that the MoU was thoroughly reviewed through a high level of scrutiny, adding that the state government has no financial commitment towards the implementation of the initiative.
He further stated that the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation (BSCPR) will coordinate the implementation process.
The Rapid Response for Peace initiative is to be implemented in Udei, Umenger and Yelewata communities of Guma Local Government Area, as well as Abeda and Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area of the state.
