By Nelson Utip
A peace strengthening project has been launched in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the project is to strengthen the peace architecture of The Niger Delta Region; this is a collaboration of The UN , Denmark and the Bayelsa State government.
In hand to launch the project were The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, The Ambassador of Denmark, Sune Krogstrup and Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Dr. Oliver Stolpe.
The project will support the government and communities in the implementation of the 2022 Bayelsa State Community-Based Crime Prevention Strategy.
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In a statement, the project is to be implemented in five communities in Bayelsa State, aimed at empowering them through joint security committees to manage their security environment proactively, checkmating and addressing the causes of crime and violence; it will also enhance collaboration between communities and law enforcement agencies that will build trust and foster lasting partnerships.
According to the statement, the initiative will build on a successfully implemented first phase which, with funding from the Government of Germany, was implemented between 2021 and 2023, and helped the Government of Bayelsa State to develop the Community Based Crime Prevention Strategy and supported its implementation in the communities of Otuan, Ikeberi 1 and Ayamasa.
The project will include the refurbishing of police stations, the redeployment of police officers and their training on community-oriented policing.
It will in addition established youth centres and introduced Line Up Live Up, a sports-based youth crime prevention programme now being delivered by sport coaches across the communities. Economic empowerment initiatives, such as a Garri processing plants and solar powered streetlights are part of the project.
Welcoming the initiative, Governor Diri said, “The collaborative effort with the German Government and UNODC has demonstrably improved security in Bayelsa State and we are confident that the new project, funded by the Government of Denmark, will build upon this success and further strengthen peace and security across the Niger Delta.”
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The Denmark Ambassador Krogstrup had this to say , “Community-based crime prevention is a cornerstone of effective security strategies. We are proud to partner with the Bayelsa State government and UNODC to empower communities and promote lasting peace.”
During the occasion, Governor Diri welcomed a delegation of ambassadors and high-level representatives of the Governments of Finland, Germany and the European Union who joined the meeting of the BRACED Commission, attended by the Governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta States and chaired by Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.
The BRACED Commission in the meeting discussed developmental and security challenges in the Niger Delta Region, identifying opportunities for the international community to cooperate with the Governments of the Niger Delta in addressing these challenges, including through the possible expansion of the community- based crime prevention which has been experimented successfully in Bayelsa State.
