Brave Dickson
An international non-governmental organization, Search For Common Ground (SFCG) with headquarters in United States of America has begun the 2nd edition of its Peace Architecture Dialogue to address the scourge of violent conflicts in Rivers State
Speaking at the peace summit in Port Harcourt on the topic: “Trend Analysis of Violent Conflicts in Rivers State,” an academic scholar on conflict management at the University of Port Harcourt, Dr Steve Wordu described trend analysis as the systematic collection of information regarding the occurrence of certain events.
While x-raying the various types of trend analyses, Dr Wordu identified, “geographical, time and intuitional (personal) trend analyses” as key components in tackling violent conflicts.
The scholar said, “knowledge of conflict trend is very important to conflict management. There is a relationship between conflict trend analysis and peacebuilding strategies.
“Violent conflict is a scourge that all stakeholders should endeavour to prevent because it usually results in death, displacement of persons as well as the destruction of property.”
Dr Wordu also blamed to some extent the insecurity in the Niger Delta on the misuse of the region’s commonwealth (petroleum) at the expense of the masses.
Earlier in his Opening Remarks, the Deputy National Secretary of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Chairman, SFCG Peace Architecture Dialogue, Hon Ken Robinson said the essence of the peace summit was to bring critical stakeholders together to brainstorm in order to deepen peace in Rivers State.
Hon. Robinson who spoke on: “The Niger Delta Region in the face of Violent Conflict Implications on PANDEF” expressed PANDEF’s readiness to support SFCG so as to engender lasting peace in the Niger Delta region.
According to him, “PANDEF was created to foster peace and development within the oil-rich region. We (PANDEF) are ready to give you (SFCG) every necessary legitimate support at our disposal for the interest of peace in Rivers State and Niger Delta.”
Delivering his Welcome Remarks, Search For Common Ground, Head Office, Niger Delta, Mr Borve Paago-Imabel thanked the participants for their efforts in building peace within their respective domains in line with the objective of SFCG.
His words, “I must commend you all for your partnership with SFCG in building peace in Rivers State and Niger Delta but please still continue and don’t relent. If you are a peace builder, you have to be patient. You need to remain objective. We expect to see more reduction in violent conflict as a result of this project.
“We also expect to see a peaceful coexistence between government and the governed among the Niger Delta states as we urge all stakeholders to always imbibe the culture of dialogue rather than violence when resolving issues.”
Presiding over the Opening Formalities, Search For Common Ground, Rivers State Coordinator, Mr Cosmos Dinee adjudged the Peace Architecture Dialogue project as a huge success in terms of managing conflict that would have emanated into violence.
Mr Dinee said, “this 2nd edition Peace Architecture Dialogue summit is to analyze discussions had from the local government level platforms with the aim of bringing sustainable peace in Rivers State and Niger Delta.
“This peace architecture dialogue project that Search For Common Ground is embarking on in the Niger Delta region so far has been quite impactful in terms of managing certain conflict that would have resulted in violence. This feat is largely credited to our participants who deemed it necessary to put into practice all the conflict management and peacebuilding knowledge they have acquired from SFCG.”
Our correspondent reports that the participants at the peace summit also identified certain insecurity challenges traceable to senatorial districts and local government areas of Rivers State as well as their actors.
Flashpoints for Rivers South-East:
Cultism, kidnapping, armed banditry, youth restiveness in Khana, Gokana, Eleme, Oyigbo with piracy inclusive in Andoni LGAs.
Flashpoints for Rivers East:
Cultism, armed robbery, ritual killings, kidnappings, rapes in Obio/Akpor, Emohua, Ikwerre with pockets of cult-related killings and armed banditry in Port Harcourt LGAs.
Flashpoints for Rivers West:
Cultism, kidnappings, piracy and artisanal crude refining popularly known as Kpo-Fire in Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru, Bonny and Degema LGAs.
While their notable actors are; conflict entrepreneurs, bad community leaders, politicians, youths, oil multi-nationals, governments and security agents.
The peace summit was well attended by security agencies, community leaders, NGOs, journalists among others
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