A consortium led by Search for Common Ground, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), Academic Associate Peace Works (AAPW), and Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND), has announced strategies for sustainable development and peace in the Niger Delta region.
This initiative, implemented across 66 communities in the focal states of Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta, marks a significant step towards fostering sustainable peace and security in the Niger Delta region.
The High-level Dissemination of Findings of the Baseline Study for the EU Funded “A Community Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta Project,”outlines a different ways to address the root causes of conflict and instability
At the top of the 12 recommendations is the facilitation of microfinance and credit access for intending entrepreneurs and small business owners.
This initiative seeks to empower individuals with viable business ideas by providing affordable loans and financial literacy training, thereby fostering economic growth and self-reliance.
Furthermore, the establishment of Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) Cooperatives aims to provide accessible credit for businesses, promoting financial inclusion and community development through collective savings and transparent lending practices.
The strategy also prioritizes peace-building initiatives, advocating for community-driven programs to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and conflict resolution. Training workshops on mediation and negotiation techniques are envisioned to empower community leaders and foster a collaborative approach to peace-building efforts.
Additionally, the consortium emphasizes the importance of environmental management support, livelihood opportunities, and agricultural development to address environmental degradation and diversify income sources within the region.
Through partnerships with critical stakeholders such as government agencies and multinational corporations, the initiative seeks to implement vocational skills training and entrepreneurship programs tailored to the specific needs of community members.
Speaking during the event, Country Director, Search for Common Ground Nigeria.Fatima Abubakar Madaki, said, “The baseline sought not only to unravel the root causes of these challenges but also to illuminate the aspirations and needs of community members, particularly our young women and men, whose voices are integral to shaping the trajectory of our interventions.
“The findings of the baseline study offer a poignant narrative of the realities faced by our communities. They underscore the profound impact of socio-economic challenges, such as unemployment and economic hardship, in perpetuating cycles of poverty and marginalization.”
Moreover, “the nexus between poor governance, political marginalization, and environmental degradation has emerged as a potent catalyst fueling social tensions and instability, thereby exacerbating the prevalence of criminal behavior and violence”,she noted.
Also speaking, Delegation of the European Union to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Programme Manager, Peace and Security Letizia Torretta, “Addressing the systemic drivers of violence and criminality in Niger Delta in supporting this project European Union reiritrate its engagement and dedication to promote global peace and security by supporting those most affected by criminal enterprises.
“In fact, by directly confronting criminality and violence in the Niger Delta, the project specifically focused on empowering vulnerable groups,”she added.
On her part, Peace and Development Advisor, Office of the Resident Coordinator, United Nations Nigeria, Kimairis Toogood, said, “The UN commends the commitment to community security approaches by the consortium partners looking for the root causes social, political, economic, environmental,
“to help us understand community needs and how to strengthen the peacebuilding approaches on the ground with a special focus on amplifying the voices of many of you here in the room, and those on the ground in your communities”
National Publicity
Secretary of PANDEF, Dr. Ken Robins said, “We will like to thank you. We are appealing that you show greater interest.
As, we talk about the community approach to issues of criminality or violence in the Niger Delta, we looked at the baselines of resolving these issues across this issue.
It’s important to note that work remains on accepting that the symbolic goose that lays the golden egg is being neglected administration after administration in general.
