War Against Crime: NSRP Seeks RSG, LGAs’ Synergy

The United Kingdom Govern
ment-funded Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP), has solicited strategic synergy with the Rivers State Government and the 23 local government area councils to curb the rising incidence of cult-related violence, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.
The Programme Manager, NSRP, Dr Ukoha Ukiwo, who made the appeal at a capacity building forum with the theme: “Strengthening Capacity of Stakeholders Towards Peace Building and Conflict Management,” organised by NSRP and Accord for Development, both non-governmental organisations, in Port Harcourt, recently, said that the collaboration has become imperative to forestall conflicts and crisis, and promote peace, economic revitalisation and sustainable development of the state.
Ukiwo said that the training was carefully designed to empower 30 volunteer peace corps members selected from Abua/Odual, Gokana and Port Harcourt City local government areas in the three senatorial districts, to enable them assist governments at both state and local government levels as well as security agencies to douse tension and de-escalate conflict-sensitive issues as a veritable means of eliminating violence and crisis in the communities.
He urged participants to ensure the promotion of sustainable economic development and good governance through actions that support institutional strengthening, empowerment, partnership, participation and advocacy for the common good, and avoid those things that encourage alienation and exclusion of all citizens in community life.
In her remarks, Programme Officer, Accord of Development, Sofia Wills-Ibim, thanked participants for their commitment to the peace and development of their communities, and gave them kudos for the brilliant work-plans developed to assist in transforming the state and the communities in the local government areas.
She expressed optimism that with the training, the participants would assist governments at all levels to ensure stability of the local communities while helping government and security agencies nip looming violent situations in the bud for peace and social order to reign.
Speaking later, the participants, who completed their three-day capacity building training, unanimously pledged to work with critical stakeholders, especially government and security agencies to unleash skills gained to curb conflicts and violence, and entrench sustainable peace in the rural communities in particular and the state in general.
The Tide recalls that the multi-faceted training is one in a series, which began in March, 2014, and is expected to run through December, 2017.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana