NDDC Pressed to Bolster Conflict Prevention Measures

An expert in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Ibadan, Isaac Albert, has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission to q...

An expert in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Ibadan, Isaac Albert, has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission to quickly enhance its mechanisms for preventing conflicts, cautioning that without an effective early warning system, long-term development in the area will continue to be difficult to achieve.

Albert placed the call in Lagos on Thursday during the start of a four-day retreat organized by the NDDC's Department of Dispute and Conflict Resolution.

The conference focused on the topic, "An Efficient Early Warning System for Conflict Prevention: A Crucial Element in Promoting the Revitalized Hope Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta Area."

Giving the keynote speech, Albert stated that the commission needs to establish a reliable, data-based Early Warning System in order to back President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Have you implemented a reliable early warning system within the NDDC?" he inquired. "If not, what steps do you plan to take to avoid conflict and promote long-term development?

He mentioned that efficient early-warning systems need to be community-based and able to initiate prompt actions.

"We require systems that do more than just gather and examine data; they must also initiate action. Otherwise, we are merely recording emergencies, not stopping them," he stated.

Albert pointed out that peacebuilding efforts in the Niger Delta keep facing challenges due to the fact that important parties—such as oil corporations, state and local authorities, young people, and female traders—are frequently left out of planning and evaluation activities.

Sustainable handling of security issues demands inclusivity," he stated. "Often, the local communities remain unaware of the initiatives designed to affect them.

He cautioned that the ongoing discrepancy between official statements and local experiences fosters distrust and undermines peace initiatives.

Additionally, addressing the event, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, was represented by his Special Assistant, Hon. Ibarakumo Otobo, who emphasized that timely identification of risks is crucial in preventing the intensification of conflicts.

"One of the key areas we need to improve is the early-warning system. If we identify our issues in a timely manner, we can then offer solutions," Ogbuku stated.

He mentioned flood damage and environmental contamination as persistent dangers that many communities are not ready to handle. As per his statement, the commission is implementing measures to reduce these hazards.

Many individuals fail to get ready for the flood. When it arrives, they find themselves without a place to go," he stated. "Environmental pollution is also a significant early-warning signal. With Dr Ogbuku's guidance, measures have been implemented to ensure we do not face the issues of past years again.

Previously, Ogedegebe Godwin, the Acting Director of the DCR Department, referred to an efficient Early Warning System as "a lifeline," noting that it allows for the identification of tension and instability at the earliest points and encourages communities to engage in building peace.

The retreat's presentations emphasized the region's long-standing issues—such as environmental damage, high youth unemployment, and weaknesses in governance—that are still increasing tensions.

Commenting on stakeholder networking for peace, Dr. Temitope Bello from Kola Daisi University mentioned that early-warning mechanisms fail when there is a lack of information exchange and trust.

"Without effective networking among involved parties, early warning systems fail. Trust, exchange of information, and collaborative partnerships form the foundation of any effective approach to preventing conflicts," she stated.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).