21st August, 2014
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Concerned about the need for a peaceful electoral process in the Niger Delta during the 2015 general elections and beyond, the Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment (LITE-Africa), a non governmental organisation, has kicked off phase II of a project themed: “Tomorrow is a New Day” (TND) in Delta state.
The 24-month long project funded by the European Union through Search for Common Ground foundation, aims at ensuring a long term stability and functioning peaceful coexistence in the Niger Delta region in 2015 and beyond. The project would be implemented in Koko and Oporoza communities in Warri North and Warri South-West respectively.
Project TND which will target community leaders, women leaders, youths, civil society groups, amnesty participants as well as non participants across the Niger Delta, is a deliberate effort to enhance the culture of non-violence in the region, improve local decision making through enhanced involvement of women in community governance and increase participation of community members in ensuing a peaceful 2015 electoral process.
Through this project, LITE-Africa will be conducting trainings on conflict transformation and advocacy, psychosocial support and civic education rallies and town hall meetings on issues related to the 2015 elections, just as local awareness and participation of marginalized groups for peace and conflict transformation would also be supported alongside the facilitation of community and security dialogue.
To ensure a smooth take-off of the project, town hall meetings were held in Koko and Oporoza communities on 26 and 30 May 2014 respectively to introduce the phase II of the project to the community leadership and the general public.
In their respective responses at the meetings, Elder Edward Daibo who represented Koko community, expressed the community’s gratitude and support for the project, just as the Community Development Committee Chairman of Oporoza community, Mr. Ebimene Amami, also gave assurance of his community’s cooperation and support for the TDN project, noting that, the community understands the project expectation and the need for community participation.
Meanwhile, the project communities have agreed to set up Local Project Committees (LPC) that will participate in setting agenda for how reintegration and reconciliation will advance and to identify issues that stand as opportunities and obstacles within the communities.
To ensure success of the project, all members of the LPC will be trained in mediation and dialogue facilitation to enable them take on resource provider roles in supporting locally led alternative dispute resolution.