EU, Search for Common Ground, Stakeholders Seek Peaceful Resolution of Boundary Disputes in Rivers State

 


As part of measures to restore peace in the Niger Delta, Search for Common Ground, in partnership with Stakeholders Democratic Network and Foundation for Partnership Development in the Niger Delta, PIND, has conveyed a State Peace Architecture Meeting in Port Harcourt.

Former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, who chaired the occasion, in his address of welcome, urged the stakeholders, drawn from the academia, civil society organisations, community leaders, security agencies, media and youth among others, to ensure peaceful resolution of boundary disputes.

Sir Toby reminded the gathering of the rich history of Rivers State as the first set of people to come in contact with Europeans, and highly educated. He, however, lamented that the current situation in Rivers State, where violence is employed to resolve disputes, including boundary issues. He called for meaningful dialogue and practical solutions to resolve boundary disputes. He also urged politicians in Rivers State to eschew greed and live selflessly. He berated politicians for turning public offices for amasing wealth rather than work for the common good. 

Also, the immediate past Director Centre for Peace and Security Studies University of Port Harcourt, Prof Martin Ifeanachor, pointed out that the major cause of boundary disputes and other forms of conflicts in the communities is oil and gas resources. He noted that conflicts ensue when 10% of the population- Nigerian politicians- corner 90% of the country's resources and leave the rest for the larger population to grapple with.


Another resource person Dr Sophie Daniel, Deputy Director Prof Okey Onuchukwu Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, called for peaceful coexistence.

Several of the stakeholders spoke at the meeting and agreed to work with others such as the Common Ground Journalism Forum to bring peace to the communities. The Sub Component Manager, Search for Common Ground, Solomon Ajebo, confirmed this to our correspondent at the end of the meeting.

The activity was part pf the project: A community Centred Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta being implemented in 66 communities in 33 local government areas of Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States and funded by the European Union.



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