C/River, Ebonyi stakeholders task FG, governors on ending communal conflicts
Stakeholders from Cross River and Ebonyi have called on the Federal Government and governors of the two states to find lasting solutions to age-long boundary and community conflicts between the them.
The stakeholders made the resolution in a communique issued in Abuja on Wednesday at the end of a two-day roundtable discussion organised by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR).
The communique recommended that Federal Government’s agencies like the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and IPCR should collaborate and conduct an ethnographic study of the disputing communities to end the conflicts.
It urged the NBC to conduct checks and verifications in Ukele and Izzi boundary communities to establish and demarcate the boundary between the two states.
It read in part: “the Nigerian Police should establish a permanent presence in the boundary communities to provide security for lives and property.
“Police should ensure free movement of persons for adequate engagement in farming and other socio-economic activities in the area.
“The National Orientation Agency (NOA) should be more involved in peace enlightenment and awareness campaigns that target all stakeholders in the boundary communities.
“National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management should intervene in the area of disaster, risk reduction and provision of necessary relief materials to affected communities.’’
The communiqué urged NEMA, IPCR, NOA, NBC and other relevant government agencies to collaborate in administering relief materials in affected communities.
The stakeholders also recommended that the federal and state governments should make conscious efforts towards the provision of social amenities in the border communities.
They resolved that youths from the affected states should be engaged in peace-building activities, such as the Cross River/Ebonyi Youth Peace Development Movement, while dilapidated schools and hospitals should be renovated.
“Governors of Cross River and Ebonyi should be commended for laudable decisions reached at the Port Harcourt summit of Aug. 7, 2018 on the resolution of the crises.
“They are hereby urged to execute agreed cross-border projects.
“The state governments, with Federal Government’s support, should put in place measures to disarm and rehabilitate youths from the warring boundary communities and to promote economic activities and targeted livelihood support.
“Members of the communities with disputed boundaries should desist from encroaching on disputed lands and from conducting cross-border criminal activities.
“The making of inflammatory statements and threats must not be used whenever disputes occur between community members.
“Youths that perpetrate cross-border attacks and other criminal activities must be identified by community members so that the community as a whole is not blamed for the actions of one individual.
“Community members must desist from actions that lead to tit-for-tat attacks and reprisal actions should be strongly discouraged,’’ the communiqué also stated.
It said those who sought refuge within a community after engaging in criminal acts in neighbouring communities should not be given refuge, but exposed and handed over to the appropriate authorities.
It also recommended that communities and local government areas of the two states must imbibe the spirit of compromise while sanctions should be meted on erring members of the communities.
The stakeholders further urged their respective communities to enlighten their people on the essence of boundaries and the need to allow peace to reign between them.
“Rehabilitation, reintegration and re-instatement of Internally Displaced Persons to their original communities and assuring qualitative education for the youths is necessary and recommended.
“Youths that engage in peace-building, such as the Cross River and Ebonyi Youths for Peace Development Movement, must be supported and encouraged by the federal and state governments.
“Youths that engage in guerrilla war in the boundary communities must be engaged and included in peace-building processes, going forward.
“IPCR should build and strengthen the capacity of the youths in the states through the Cross River and Ebonyi Youth Peace Development Movements to ensure the sustainability of peace in the states,’’ the communique added.
The stakeholders also resolved that women and girls should be encouraged to participate in the peace and security processes of their communities.
The communique was read by the Director-General of the IPCR, Dr Bakut Bakut.
It was signed by Bakut and representatives of the NOA, NEMA, traditional rulers, Cross River and Ebonyi Youth Peace and Development Movement as well as those of the affected Local Government Areas.
The theme of the roundtable is: “Sustainable Solutions on the Boundary Disputes/Conflicts between Cross River and Ebonyi States.’’
Government officials, traditional rulers, town unions and opinion leaders, women and youth leaders, security agencies, among others attended the roundtable.
