EU, Search Inaugurate SPA In Bayelsa.

 

Search for Common Ground, an international peace building non-governmental organization, with support from the European Union has  launched its State level Peace Architecture (SPA) in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital.

This it hinted is part of efforts to mitigate violent conflict and strengthen the peace architecture in Bayesa  and in the  Niger Delta Region.

Speaking at the inauguration which took place on Tuesday in Yenagoa,

the National Conflict Analyst, Mr Andy Nkemneme who performed the official inauguration ceremony, stated that the SPA was being set up as a group that will enhance the peace building and collaborative efforts of the CRIN-VIN project in the state.

He disclosed  that the SPA will specifically serve as a policy organ and rapid response unit that will respond to issues escalated from the communities and local governments peace architecture.

Nkemneme stressed that the main purpose of the project was to find a peaceful way to settle communal crisis in the project states and the Niger Delta region at large stating that  the project which was implemented by a consortium of four organizations, is funded by the European Union. 

" The SPA will be tasked with the responsibility of strengthening stakeholders’ participation in dialogues on conflict resolution in the selected communities, facilitate collaboration and trust between government, security and community stakeholders groups and bring communities and LGAs level issues to the attention of the state level actors." He explained.

 Also  speaking, the project manager, Mr Chorbe Joshua, said that  the SPA which serves as the highest dialogue organ under the project, represents a key sustainability component that would outlive the project’s 18-months timeline. 

He also informed that the consortium had also inaugurated similar organs across the local government areas and the project communities. 

Recall that the SPA which is part of a conflict response and dialogue structure under the consortium led project titled: “a community centered approach to transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta, is expected to perform collaborative interventions that will address conflict issues arising from communities, local government Areas and the state at large. 

SP Ondo Gbekumo was sworn-in as Chairman while  HRM King Seiyefa Koroye was inaugurated as Co-Chairman.

Also inaugurated were, the Chairperson of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Bayelsa state, Mrs Grace Orumieyefa as Public Relations Officer, Ndidiamaka Mumaja Francis as Co- Secretary, while the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Non-Governmental Forum (BAGOF), Mr Taritein Boco is to serve as the Organizing Secretary.

The CRIN-VIN project which is funded by the European Union is being implemented by Search for Common Ground, in partnership with Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Foundation for Partnerships Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND), Academic Associates Peace Works (AAPW).