May 05, (THEWILL) – Hope for a peaceful resolution to some intractable and prolonged communal crises in Cross River State has been kindled.
This follows the commencement of peace-building and capacity development training on conflict resolutions and management moves by the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta to address these crises through the traditional rulers’ institutions in the state.
The state is awash with several prolonged communal crises, which have claimed lots of lives and properties. Some of these crises predate the existence of the state and have defied numerous moves to put an end to them.
Some of the communities in the state, which have, over time, been noted for various conflicts include the Odukpani Qua Clan, Ikot Offiong, New Nnetim, Ebom, Ebijakara, Osumutong, Alesi, Ochon and many others.
Speaking on the reasons for the intervention, Dr. Raphael Offiong, an Associate Professor of Geography and Environmental Science at the University of Calabar, said without peace, no development can take place.
Dr. Offiong, who is also a consultant with PIND, said an alternative dispute resolution mechanism is the key to resolving these crises and this necessitated the need to embark on community engagements and peace advocacy.
In his words, “We realised that development cannot come without peace so this is what necessitated our intervention so that these crises don’t escalate.
“These crises are basically about needs not met; at times, expansion and livelihood options.
“Also, lack of good mediation, conciliation and willpower from the government and war entrepreneurs.
“In the last 30 to 40 years, for instance, there has been a long-lasting battle between the Nko/Onyadama people in Adun.
“PIND has made inroads by engaging the traditional institutions and they have adopted the alternative dispute mechanism and we are making headway into these conflicts,” he said.
He said, over the last six months, they have engaged in peace-building processes across six Local Government Areas in the State.
According to him, these LGAs are just the pilot phase of their drive to entrench peace and they hope to use the traditional rulers and paramount chiefs to drive the process.
“PIND has been in the state over time but recently, between October last year and this year, we have been engaged in building peace.
“We started with the buy-in process, which covered six LGAs: Odukpani, Biase, Yakurr, Abi, Obubra and Ikom.
“The main essence of these few LGAs was just a pilot to see how we can go in.
“The expectation is to drive the process of PIND through the traditional institutions, using paramount rulers and other renowned chiefs,” he said.
He said the engagement is bearing fruits and communities, like the Ebom and Ebijakara, are back together and they believe peace will eventually get to these communities.
He maintained that with proper education, these crises will be resolved and also, communities should start to treat crises in isolated grounds rather than communities so that peace will return.
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
