There is Need To Build Peace Agents In Communities: Search SPA

 

 The Bayelsa State Peace Architecture of  Search for Common Ground has stated that there is every need to build peace agents in the rural communities of the Niger Delta stating that it is only then that one can adequately talk about peace.

Speaking at the weekend in Yenagoa during a meeting of the state peace architecture comprising of Stakeholders from communities, state and from the security agencies, 

Enabaraton Preye  who represented  the  state chairman, Belemote Alfred

maintained that the issue was a collective thing adding that the SPA was committed to building peace in the state.

He said that peace can be achieved when all come together to advocate for it stating that search has   been trying to achieve that.

But the SPA chairman disclosed that peace cannot be achieved when people bate hungry  adding that more efforts need to be put in place to establish the youths in the region.

He said:" We need to look at building peace agents  at the rural  

 communities. It is then, we can adequately talk about peace. The issue about peace is a collective one and at the state architecture level, we are committed to building peace in Bayelsa. 

"Stakeholders gathered here to advocate for the need for  peace building  in the state, like issues about chieftancy and cattle rearing, about drugs and others.

"We can only achieve peace when we come together to advocate for it. Here at the SPA, we strive to build peace bridges and  it is when we come together that we can build peace.

 "If we didn't  address the issue of peace, Bayelsa will not be where it is today. The effort of  NGOs and government  is geared towards cementing that relationship name no effort put towards that direction will be too much.

"However, It is only a well fed man that thinks of peace. Until we get to that stage, all.efforts will be fruitless Have we talked about empowering people with skills and building of technical schools. Not all about  this I'm loyal kind of leadership.  It is when we look at those things that we can solve the issue of peace.

 "It is only a satisfied man that will want to promote peace in his community and Search for Common Ground is keyed towards that direction  by advocating for entrepreneurship development.

"It is  only when we address those issues that  we will be able to nip it on the board and Search will give that direction and that is our goal. We want to lead that process so that we can chart a way forward.

"Search has tried in achieving this  through it's  aims of peace building in the region."

 Also speaking, Lele Isaac, Chairman Kolokuma Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State,  and  ALGON chairman Bayelsa State. Admitted  that Search State Peace Architecture was doing reasonably well. 

He revealed that SPA  meet at the local government level on monthly basis adding "of course, you know that where there is adequate communication, there are bound to be some level of understanding and a reduction of conflicts in such areas.

Peace he said  is basically understanding each other  stating that "where there is lack of understanding, that is where you see a whole lot of conflict.

 He explained "What they have doing is bringing stakeholders together and by this communication, you realize that people  are begining to understand themselves better  and when that is done, there will be more peace.

"This communication is good because  is allowing the different groups to understand themselves. This communication that they are fostering naturally is bringing about more peace in the state.

"Also, the peace we are enjoying in the state is as a result of the governor we have. Since he came into power, he has been bridging gaps. 

"If you have a leader who likes peace, the followers will follow. We are all preaching peace  and now Search has come to join us to preach the same peace, that is why today, Bayelsa is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria."

Search for Common Ground is an International Non Governmental Organization that has the mandate of fostering peace in the Niger Delta Region with support  from the European Union.