The European Union has budgeted the sum of €4.5million for the second phase of its peace building and conflict prevention project in Plateau and Kaduna States.
The Head of Political Governance section at the EU delegation Allan Munday said at the formal launching of the project that the second phase is expected to last for 18 months but has commenced running in the last four months.
Munday said the project is financed with the European Union’s Instrument Contributing to Stability and Peace and implemented by Apurimac Onlus, GIZ and Search for Common Ground adding that the project is specifically designed to offer a more rapid result in situations of crisis and urgent needs.
He said the peace project has contributed to peace and conflict prevention in Plateau State with special focus on Jos and its immediate surroundings as well as strengthen the mechanisms of conflict resolution adding that “the second phase will target additional local government areas including one in neighbouring Kaduna state namely Kaura Local Government Area bordering Riyom in Plateau State in order to properly address the cross boarder nature of the conflict between farmers and herders.”
He further stated that “the EU along with our international implementers that is GIZ, Search For Common Ground and Apurimac Onlus considered that there was sufficient success in the first phase and sufficient buying and ownership by communities and stakeholders to justify doing something further. No project is an end in itself, to be sustainable it has to be taken off by its beneficiaries and stakeholders and they must then do it for themselves.”
Also speaking at the occasion , the Management committee chairman of Barkin Ladi local government of Plateau state , Bulus Doro lamented the high level of insecurity in the Local government area of the state , stressing that the number of illegal weapons in the hands of individuals is alarming.
He also expressed worry on the high level of insecurity in the country, as he called on government at all levels to find lasting solution to insecurity in the country.
Hope Ikwe
