By Musa Yaro, Calabar.
Stakeholders at a Town Hall meeting organised by the Niger Delta regional peace building strategy implementation, have decried the destruction of national assets in the area.
Held in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, the stakeholders comprising the traditional and religious leaders, media, civil society organizations as well as government officials and security agencies, argued that violence though expensive, only last where there are sponsors.
They also remarked that increase in kidnapping, robbery, pipeline vandalism, oil theft, cultism among other vices have made the area unattractive for investors to dwell, despite the huge potentials that are found in the area.
Blaming traditional rulers for fueling communal crisis for cheap and personal gains, they further advocated for a carrot-and-stick approach to resolving issues.
State Coordinator, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Architect David Otom, remarked that the destruction of national assets including oil theft and pipeline vandalism have exposed the nation to economic uncertainties, rising inflation, dwindling oil production and inability to meet OPEC quota.
“To this end, there is need for effective collaboration by all and sundry for a peaceful and sustainable Niger Delta region,” he said.
Peace building Manager for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) Foundation, Dr. David Udofia, informed that the program is aimed at building mutual coexistence among the people of the area.
“It aims at achieving greater goal for lasting peace in the Niger Delta through sustainable partnership.
“The program also encourages collaboration and synergy amongst the various stakeholders while strengthening indigenous structures and building interface with larger state level peace efforts since security is everybody’s business.
“Conflict cannot be eradicated but can be managed, hence we are looking at the implementation to start immediately.
“Through this meeting, the stakeholders will be acquainted with the basics of preventing conflicts from escalating, not preventing it from occurring in totality, because as we all know, conflict and violence are integral part of human existence,” Udofia explained.
Coordinator, Peace Point Development Foundation, Umo Isua-Ikoh, enjoined participants to continue advocating for continued peace and mutual coexistence in a bid to draw investors to the area.
The Town Hall meeting which was interactive also featured practical group work sessions.
