PIND FOUNDATION, Q1 2024 NIGER DELTA PEACE AND SECURITY NETWORK (NDPSN) MEETING FOR CRITICAL STAKEHOLDERS, YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE.

11th April, 2024.

Foundation for Partnership Initiatives In The Niger Delta (PIND), organized a one day town hall meeting at Ebis Hotel, Etegwe, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on the 4th of April, 2024, with critical stakeholders in promoting peace, improving security, and supporting economic development in the region. This also informed PIND Foundations drive toward peacebuilding and improved livelihoods in the region, through its peacebuilding and economic development programs.

The program was facilitated by the Central Working Committee Member of the Partners For Peace (P4P), Mrs. Nancy Wodu in Bayelsa State, aimed at addressing the underlying drivers, neutralize potential triggers of violence, create a societal expectation for peaceful conflict resolution or stabilize the society politically and socio-economically.

Mrs Wodu Nancy advice that it will be better for organizations to work with government agencies in reducing climate change conflict and drug abuse.

The facilitator, Mrs. Nancy Wodu, CWC Bayelsa State, describe the Niger Delta as a multi-ethnic region, with a teeming population of more than 30 million people and large reserves of natural resources which play an important role in the economy of the region and Nigeria at large. Despite the opportunities for socio-economic viability, the area is enmeshed in economic underdevelopment, environmental degradation, and general insecurity.

According to Mrs. Nancy, the need for further dialogue among critical stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness and coordination of interventions that are designed to reduce conflict or to prevent the start or resumption of violent conflict in the Niger Delta is a thing of priority, for development to strife.

FOCUS AREA FOR DELIBERATION – CLIMATE CHANGE, CONFLICT, DRUG ABUSE, RAPE AND FRAUD.

According to Mr Philip Godfrey, anything that will attract peace and development to communities, will be promoted by majority in the region. He expressed his concern about a burning issue around artisanal refineries, stating that, the stick approach by the government has resulted in pushing some of the youths going back to the creeks. The actions of the government is currently causing serious conflict between the youths and government. Another issue he raised was the PIA, which has to be looked into because of the abnormalities, because it will likely create major crisis in the region.

Mr. Authority Benson highlighted the need for timely incident reporting to the IPDU portal. In one of their base line research, according to him, it was indicated that climate change is a threat to communities in the Niger Delta region, but people failed to see it. Climate change affect the riverine communities more than others, causing destruction to their environment, lives and properties.

In the area of security, the Chairman, Bayelsa State Vigilantes, Comrade Doubiye Alagba stressed on the importance of peace in any society, stating that security is everybody’s business and for development to strive, the environment must be peaceful.

Comrade Alagba accounted for his team’s impact and readiness in the protection of lives and properties in Bayelsa State, siting an example of their actions in restoring peace and giving traders the confidence in going about their normal business at Swali Market, Bayelsa State. He used the avenue to appreciate Bayelsa State Government for giving them the mandate to serve and equally thanked PIND for organizing the NDPSN Meeting.

Chief Negimote James raised his voice against the high level of rape and the stigma attached, that the campaign against rape should continue to even the rural areas. He also draw attention to what transpired between the farmers and headers at Zarama town that resulted in the blocking of the east west road, he condemned the inhuman of the headers and call on all stakeholders to create a preventive measure against future occurrence.

Negimote James frowned at the increasing activities of fraudsters (yahoo) in the state, stating that, something has to be done urgently to minimize or decrease the alarming rate of this activity. He also said climate change is a serious issue that has destroyed communities like, sangana, fish town konghor and others in Bayelsa State, he also advise the PIND peace building team to visit Odioma etc and access the level of destructions.

Chief Nesini Clarkson Kikile talk about corruption and the high level of divorce that there is need to raise concern about these matters.

ACTION POINTS.

1. The campaign against rape should be spread to the rural areas as well.

2. organizations should work with security agencies for the reduction of drugs and climate conflict.

3. The chairman of the Bayelsa Vigilante should share all necessary contacts with the Swali market representatives for the reduction of criminalities.

4. The use of indian hemps for both civilians and security agencies should be discouraged with every legal means possible.

APPRECIATION :

The Acting Paramount Ruler of Yenagoa Community, His Royal Highness, Teddy Anyamalem expressed his appreciation to the organizers of the program, stating, it has been long overdue for meetings of such, due to the current challenges faced by host Communities in the Niger Delta Region.

STAKEHOLDERS AT THE NDPSN MEETING INCLUDES :

1. Acting Paramount Ruler of Yenagoa, His Royal Highness, Teddy Anyamalem.

2. Alabo Negimote James (OON), Vice President, Ijaw National Congress.

3. Alagba Doubiye, Chairman Bayelsa Vigilante.

4. Hon. Mieye Seikepagha, P4P Bayelsa State Coordinator.

5. Authority Benson, Director Sustainable Environment and Peace Building Foundation.

6. Ebiere Beauty, Women leader Swali market.

7. Bekeowei Mary, Representative of Starz Safety Initiative.

8. Vincent Dede, All Tricycle (Keke) Unit Chairman/Executive/Riders.

9. Chief Nesini Clarkson Kikile

10. Mark Chima

11. MC Timmy Alagba

12. Mr Philip Godfrey,

13. Yegugba Jaobed

14. Dumo Abumo

15. Amos Elthia

16. Adokiye Esther

17. Kalage Monica David

18. Daniel Melody

19. Ebikemo O. Philip

20. Akemi George and others.