June 29, (THEWILL) – The Director of Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC), Kaduna, Pastor Joshua Kurmi Pyeng, has called on Benue State Government, to have the political will to end the protracted land dispute in Agatu local Government area, which is hosting a fish pond — the cause of the conflict.
He, therefore, recommended the seizure of the pond and give it to traditional rulers in the area to manage, which according to him, is a necessary step to bring about unity amongst the warring communities laying claim to it.
Pastor Pyeng, who spoke exclusively with our correspondent after a training session with members of Early Warning Early Response (EWER), in Makurdi, also recommended that the state government should have a dialogue meeting with Fulani cattle rearers and farmers, so as to resolve contending issues that leads to killing and destruction of properties.
According to Dr Pyeng, the State government needs to employ professional conflict mediators to handle cases of conflicts in Guma, Agatu and other parts of Benue State for development to thrive.
“Government should through National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), sit with IDPs and carryout needs assessment based on various communities, rather than continuous supply of Indomie and other commodities considered essential to them.
He urged the governor to establish a Peace Commission in the state, noting that Kaduna state also has a commission that intervenes in all conflicts, while Kano state don’t have one, but Hisba, which monitors activities of early warning and social vices in communities in the state.
Responding to a question, the Interfaith Mediation Centre Director, noted that the success of Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) in the country, is above average because there are interventions since 2019 in Nigeria, especially in Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Rivers States, among others.
Pastor Pygeng stated that the Tolerance Project started again from 2012 to 2017, which was run by Interfaith Mediation Centre, Kaduna, and will end mid next year.
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