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From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
The European Union (EU) has revealed plans to invest in collaborative measures to promote inclusive security in 24 communities across 12 local government areas in Delta State.
The plan also cover 26 communities across 13 local government areas in Rivers and Bayelsa states
The objective, according to Fatima Abubakar, the Country Director of Search for Common Grounds, implementation partner of the EU, is to mitigate violence in the Niger Delta region.
Abubakar was speaking in Asaba, Delta State during the official launch of the EU funded project titled: ‘A Community-Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta’.
She further explained that the initiative would foster inclusive community security approaches to addressing the systemic drivers of violence, criminality and building resilience in oil rich region.
According to her, the project marks a noteworthy milestone in its collaborative endeavours to promote inclusive community security approaches, was to address the root causes of violence and criminality in the region.
“We are abreast of the local context of the region, its history, challenges and conflict dynamics that have shaped the current political, economic and social landscape of the region.
“Consequently, Search designs its projects to collaborate with local and international partners to spearhead impactful initiatives aimed at mitigating violence and building resilience in communities across the Niger Delta.
“One such notable initiative was the ‘Tomorrow is a New Day’ project, implemented from 2013 to 2015 with funding from the European Union. This violence-reduction project contributed to stability in the Niger Delta, facilitating the peaceful reintegration of ex-militants and promoting community reconciliation.
“In Delta State, the project left a lasting impact in Warri South and Warri North Local Government Areas through innovative approaches like community reintegration, radio drama, community radio, and trauma healing. Through the project, infrastructural interventions such as the construction of internal roads and community radio stations were built in Koko and Oporoza communities,” she said.
She thus called on all Stakeholders to use this opportunity to build a resilient and peaceful Delta State, setting an example for sustainable development and community-driven transformation.
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori lauded EU for making their resources available for the project, and charged those entrusted with the management to do their job with utmost dedication, zeal and integrity.
He stated that the state government will continue to offer a hand of fellowship with various partners of the EU working in the oil rich region to “raise a new generation of leaders and thinkers that will change the narrative in the Niger Delta region”.
According to the governor, the EU funded projects were designed to impart knowledge, skills and attitudes in a systematic manner to achieve a renewed sense of civic responsibility in the target communities through building of strong and enduring intra-and inter-community relationships.
