'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - Search for Common Ground in partnership with Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), Academic Associate Peace Works (AAPW), and Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND) have released the baseline report for the EU Funded "A Community Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta Project".
Search for Common Ground's country director, Fatima Abubakar Madaki unveiled the 53 pages document at a high-level meeting in Abuja today Tuesday, April 30.
According to findings in the baseline report, respondents in Bayelsa state, cult/gang conflicts (40%), in Delta state, respondents cited cult/gang conflicts (59%), while respondents in Rivers state cited cited cult/gang conflicts (50%).
Other prevalent forms of violent and criminal activities according to the study are: in Bayelsa state, kidnapping and ransom payment (25%) and oil bunkering (25%) were the most cited. In Delta state, kidnapping and ransom payment (53%) and ethnic conflicts (28%). While in Rivers state, kidnapping and ransom payment (18%) and gender based and human rights (8%).
Madaki in her opening remarks said the initiative marks a significant step towards fostering sustainable peace and security across 66 communities in the 3 focal states of Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta.
"The 18-months action in the Niger Delta Region embodies a commitment to inclusive community security approaches aimed at addressing the systemic drivers of violence and criminality. Since its commencement on November 8th, 2023, this project has permeated 66 communities across 33 Local Government Areas in the states of Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta.
"The baseline study delved into the intricate web of social, political, environmental, and economic dynamics underlying violence and criminality in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states. It 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" she said.
Representing the Minister of Niger Delta, James Khanoba stressed the nexus between violence in the Niger Delta and economic growth in Nigeria. Promising the ministry's preparedness to study and adopt the far reaching findings of the baseline study in its interventions in the Niger Delta.
Khanoba said: "The Niger Delta no doubt is an important region to Nigeria and the development of Nigeria. I'm sure many people would agree that over the years, the Niger Delta has been the mainstay of Nigeria's economic growth.
"But then the issues of insecurity and instability in the region, which affect the region, equally has had its impact on Nigeria economic wise, and development. This government is interested in turning around those fortunes or misfortunes. If you like. And that is why the President and Commander in Chief when he took office, redesignated our ministry to Ministry of Niger Delta development, not just the Niger Delta affairs because we think that if we're able to bring development to the Niger Delta then many things will change.
"And it is on that note that we appreciate the partnership of the EU and other non-governmental organizations who are involved in this program. We're equally there at the launch of the program, and we're here today. It is because we know that it is an important program. We believe that what the consortium is doing with funding from the EU will help decision makers in policy formulation in how to drive peace and stability, which will improve the fortunes of the country."
Speaking on behalf of the funding partner, European Union's Programme Manager on peace and security Letizia Torretta commended the rigorous research aimed at addressing the systemic drivers of violence and criminality in Niger Delta. She said the project underscores EU's posture of promoting global peace and security.
Torretta equally lauded the keen participation of government at all levels, civil society and other stakeholders' shared commitment to fostering enduring peace, security and prosperity in the Niger Delta and beyond.
"Together, they have combined their expertise to implement an 18-month action plan that is meant to fostering inclusive community sector security approaches, addressing the systemic drivers of violence and criminality in Niger Delta. In supporting this project European Union reiterates 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. Such as the youth, unemployed graduates, orphans and single mothers.
"Therefore, I particularly welcome the presence of the federal authorities and the representative of the state governors, as well as the international community and the civil society to this particular event. Your participation demonstrate the strength of collaboration and shared commitment to fostering enduring peace, security and prosperity in the Niger Delta and beyond. Together, we're working towards a future where all individually especially the youth can flourish in a secure and inclusive environment" Torretta submitted.
Nigeria is behind on all SDGs
Also delivering her goodwill message at the event, Peace and Development Advisor, Office of the Resident Coordinator, United Nations, Nigeria, Kimairis Toogood rued Nigeria's poor showing on all the SDGs. She hopes the findings from the baseline report will help shape policy interventions in the region.
"Specifically, I want to come to the UN in Nigeria. As we know, we are behind in achieving on agenda 2030. Specifically, all 17 of the SDGs here in Nigeria, are falling far behind of achieving specifically SDG 16 on peace and security. We understand that part of this is that maybe our efforts on the ground are not targeting the right root causes in the right way with the right peacebuilding interventions.
"And we hope that this piece of research as a baseline research on these issues can help us reorient maybe some of our own efforts on the ground by specific agencies working on peace building in the Niger Delta. We also know that Nigeria will participate in the summit of the future which will be held on the 22nd and 23rd of September in New York. Part of this will also help Nigeria articulate what its commitment is to international peace and security in the Niger Delta is crucial to that conversation.
"So, we hope a number of the deliberations that we will have here in the room today following the presentation and the discussions will also help us carry some of these recommendations to and through our Nigerian government partners to help them learn some of the commitments that Nigeria will make around international peace and security in their participation in the summit of future" Toogood noted.
Some of the recommendations of the study to arrest criminality and violence in the Niger Delta include: Microfinance and credit access, establishment of village savings and loans association, promoting peace building initiatives, establish and support dialogue platforms, environmental management support, among others.
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