Search For Common Ground Launchea Another Project In Niger Delta.

 

 A group known as Search for Common Ground, an organization known for peace building in the whole world  has to launched it's community centered approach in the Niger Delta.

The project  was launched on Tuesday the 6th day of February, 2024  in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State Capital 

The organizers of the programme in a pre launch press conference  disclosed that the project is aimed at transforming the youths of the region  and  addressing the root cause of violence and criminality in the Niger Delta.

The eighteen months project which is  funded by the European Union will be implemented by Search for Common Ground with support from Bayelsa State Government.

 Other groups like Partnership initiative in the Niger Delta, the Stakeholders Democracy Network and  Academic  Associate Peace Works are also partners.

 Speaking  at the press  conference, the head of Office and Programme Implementation Niger Delta, Yacinthe Agbdjagan who represented Fatima Abubakar the country director disclosed that the project launch was a leap into  it's collective efforts together  with inclusive community security approaches and to  address the root causes of violence and criminality in the Niger Delta.

The group said that the project is an eighteen months project which will involve thirty three local governments, of sixty six communites  in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivets States.

In Bayelsa State, the local governments to be captured according to the representatives of Search for Common Ground are all the local governments  while in Delta State Bomadi, Burutu, Udu, Ighelli North, Uwie, Isoko North, Ndokwa East, Warri West, Ethiop East, Sapele, Warri South and Warri North.

Also in Rivers State, the Search for Common Ground stated that it will cover about thirteen local governments which include Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Akuku Toru,  Asari Toru, Andoni, Emohua among other communites.

The project which the organizers disclosed will gulp about 6.5 million Euros  will be used to foster collaboration within communites to address social exclusion, economic challenges and environmental degradation.

Agbdjagan  said"  This eighteen months project which is funded by the European Union will be implemented in thirty three local governments areas and sixty six communites in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States. While all the eight local governments in Bayelsa are beneficiaries of the project, twelve and thirteen local governments in Delta and Rivets States will benefit.

"The project will also encourage dialogue and cooperation to collectively address shared challenges and foster sustainable development.

" It will also encourage the establishment of trust and collaboration between communites and government /security actors for more participatory community centered security operation and promote transparency and inclusivity in security measures to enhance community engagement and cooperation.

" The project will also leverage on culture based approach to bridge the divides and  foster social cohesion among communities , support initiatives that utilize creative expression to promote unity and understanding.

"Also the project will facilitate policy change at local, state, regional, national and international levels to institutionalize  community centerd security approach and collaborate with policy makers to integrate these approaches into broader regional strategies for sustained impact. He explained.