Forum of Delta NGOs seeks return of peace in Amai, Umuebu communities in Delta

The forum of Delta state Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs) has called on indigenes of Amai and Umuebu communities in Ukwuani local golvernment area of the state, to embrace and promote peaceful co-existence for the sustainable development of both communities and the state in general.

The plea was made in Asaba, the state capital, by the coordinator of the group, Deacon Okezi Odugala, and the secretary, Chief Greg Osamenjor. They spoke during a media chat.

Odugala and Osamanjor frowned at the recent outbreak of hostilities between both communities purportedly over land dispute and enjoined them to bury the hatchet.

Rather, they advised that both communities should consolidate on the natural and cultural affinity that existed between them from time immemorial towards the mutual development of both communities, while not giving any room to persons that fan the embers of disharmony because of their selfish economic and political interests, which, if not checked, can lead to more destruction of lives and property.

The Forum of Delta State NGOs called on all communities in the state to promote peace and unity which is the only guarantee for attracting economic investments for sustainable development in the era of the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Smart Agenda of the current Delta State Government.

It also called on all stakeholders in the Delta State P:roject to mediate in the Amai and Umuebu crisis towards enthroning a mutually-beneficial settlement, using the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism in proffering solution to the crisis between both communities and in other communities in the state.

The forum, as part of its objectives, stated its readiness to carry out advocacy visits on peace-building communities in partnership with other stakeholders towards ensuring that permanent peace is restored between Amai and Umuebu and commended the state government, security agencies and other peace-makers for their intervention so far..

Following the myriad of crisis across the country which has led to pain and suffering, the President, Urhobo Summit Group, (USG), Prof. Victor Jike, has asked the Federal Government to establish a Ministry for Conflict Resolution, saying that such ministry would help address the situation in Nigeria.

Jike, who stated this in Abraka in an interview, said because of the diversity of the Nigerian situation, the only permanent feature in the country was conflict, hence there was need to establish a ministry of conflict resolution with a view to resolving crisis on daily basis.

He said, ‘’We cannot begin to cuild peace from a premise of unity because there can’t be unity where the underlay is conflict. You start from resolving the conflict so that we can begin to build peace that is sustainable.

‘’The kind of peace and unity we have in this country is not sustainable. What we do in Nigeria is to buy peace; peace of the grave yard. You buy peace with money and when the peace is finished you buy more with money. That is what we are doing in Nigeria; that is why the government has not been able to solve the problems in the Niger Delta region.

‘’We come here, we buy peace. We pay money to buy epace and we come up with all kinds of propaganda schemes like post-amnesty programme and all, without doubt, it doesn’t exist. What we ought to do is to establish an institution with the fundamental basis of resolving crisis and if that is done, then we can address the issues of the Niger Delta and other issues once and for all.’’

He accused the federal government of politicking with Nigerians, pointing out that it was the reason Nigerians remained impoverished despite the natural and human resources at its disposal, warning that unless the government was fair in its dealings, Nigeria will remain impoverished.

Jike, who is also a professor of sociology and psychology, argued that in the western world, there are governments officials trained in the art of conflict resolutions and are occupying positions for negotiations of all kinds, calling on the federal government to take a cure from its western counterparts.

‘’We need experts in the area of conflict resolutions. They must have studied and garnered experience in conflict resolutions. They must have studies and garnered experience in conflict resolutions. This is what we need in Nigeria because there is conflict everywhere. Look at the Boko Harram and Fulani herdsmen issues; these are conflict issues which can be address.

‘’There is conflict between the North and the South; there are intra and inter conflicts. For instance, there is conflict within the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, and if there is a ministry of conflict resolution, it would have sent it personnels to resolve the crisis. A ministry of conflict of resolution is what Nigeria needs at this time to address the myriads problems across the country.’’