Delta Traditional Rulers Council has called on governments at all levels to institute people-oriented economic policies to ameliorate the suffering of the masses.

 The Chairman of the Council, Maj.-Gen. Felix Mudiakpero (retd), made the call in Asaba at the monthly meeting of the State Peace Architecture.  

The meeting was organised by an international non-profit organisation, Search For Common Ground.  

Mr Mudiakpero, who is the Oroje of Okpe Kingdom, said such policies would go a long way in effectively addressing crime and criminality in the Niger Delta region.

The monarch was represented by Obi Charles Anyasi, the traditional ruler of Idumuje Kingdom in the Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Mudiakpero commended SFCG for the initiative, saying the meeting could not have come at a more auspicious time.

 He said, “It is coming at a time when happenings within Nigeria and particularly the Niger Delta call for optimum engagement aimed at fostering endearing peace and stability within our region. Thankfully, it is hoped that the synergy arising from the collaborative engagement of the Ministry of Youth Development, SFCG, Academic Associate Peace Work and Partnership Initiative for Niger Delta will yield germane dividends. Our confidence is especially derived from the fact that this initiative is being coordinated by no less a formidable organisation than SFCG. The organisation in the last couple of years has continued to generate impressionable footprints in the area of peace and conflict resolution, especially on the firm pedestal of Alternative Dispute Resolution.’’ 

He said the involvement of SFCG had tremendously assisted in lifting the burden of human management off the shoulders of monarchs in the region.

He stated, “As kings, we are daily encumbered with protest after protest, litigation after litigation, which is why we hold the tenets of Alternative Dispute Resolution dearly to our hearts. Whether we are talking of international conflicts or rumblings in the remotest villages, royal fathers can truly testify that there is scarcely a better alternative than alternative dispute resolution. It is also our genuine prayer that you continue to search and achieve the desired common ground in your holistic engagement for peace within our region.’’

 The state Chairman of SPA, Dr Ngozi Mogbolu, urged members to make adequate input that would help to promote and sustain peace in the state.

 Ms Mogbolu noted that reports from the Local Government Peace Architecture and Community Peace Architecture revealed an increase in kidnapping, farmer/herder clashes, land disputes, and human trafficking among others.

Ms Mogbolu, who is also the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Youth and Development, assured that the reports would be channelled to the appropriate authorities for necessary actions.

She also appealed to the residents of the state to stay safe given the planned nationwide protest and report any violence to the group platforms for urgent attention by the security agencies.

Meanwhile, the Consortium Manager for SFCG, Joshua Chorbe, stressed the need for SPA to support security agencies with relevant information to assist them in combating crimes in the state.

Mr Chorbe called for more advocacies of peace across the various communities, urging traditional rulers to come up with measures that could assist in combating crimes in the state.

 Recall that the SFCG on June 27 inaugurated Delta SPA to strengthen dialogues on issues and conflicts in the state,

SPA is expected to help stakeholders foster an inclusive approach to addressing challenges of violence and criminality and peace promotion in the area.

(NAN)