The Katsina and Kaduna State Governments have partnered with the United Nations (UN), in an effort to tackle insecurity in the North West region.
Ibrahim Kalau, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina, disclosed this in a statement issued in Katsina on Tuesday.
According to Kaula, this was reached during the launching of the ‘PeaceBuilding Fund Project’, on Thursday at the UN office in Abuja.
He explained that the project, among other things, is primarily aimed at strengthening the local and state-level architectural framework of peacebuilding and prevention in the two states.
In his remarks, Radda expressed deep gratitude to the UN for considering their North West zone, particularly Katsina, for the mammoth project.
The governor further described the project as timely in view of the banditry crisis ravaging Katsina and the entire North West region.
He also solicited the support of the UN on infrastructural development that will be a catalyst in reducing unemployment and insecurity in Katsina.
Radda pledged his administration’s commitment to counter fund similar projects in future.
“Strengthening local and state level peace architectures for peacebuilding and prevention in the two states is funded from the UN Secretary General’s peacebuilding fund (PBF).
“And it was aimed to reinforce non-military responses to conflict and insecurity in Kaduna and Katsina States respectively.
“This is by strengthening existing infrastructure for peace, providing safe spaces for inclusive (inter- and intra-) community dialogue.
“It will also enhance the resilience of communities directly affected by conflict through the provision of psychosocial support and increasing access to sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
The project is jointly implemented by the UNDP, UN Women, and IOM, with OHCHR providing technical support on mainstreaming and integrating human rights and the UNDP serving as the convening agency.