By Abel Johngold Orheruata
The Federal Government have been advised to mandate security agencies in the State to recognize the human rights of everyday citizens while intervening in violent conflicts and fighting crime in Delta State.
The members of the Niger Delta Dialogue (NDD) led by Dr. Judith Burdon Asuni gave the advice today in Asaba, during the Team’s presentation and validation meeting of the Reports on insecurity in the South-South States: Issues, Actors, and Solutions.
The NDD also suggested that the leadership of security institutions in Delta State should investigate and prosecute their officials who are involved in any form of criminal activity or aiding criminal activity in the State.
“The leadership of security institutions should develop and implement mechanisms to cooperate with communities in the provision of security services in the State. This should involve community level intelligence.” It added.
Discouraging government from using military or coercive measures in resolving disputes with communities, NDD advised Oil Producing Companies (OPC) to adopt environmentally friendly production policies and create partnerships with the locals in terms of conception of projects, awards of contracts and monitoring the execution of such contracts or projects.
“OPC should facilitate dialogue and interactive practices as means of conflict resolution.” NDD advised.
Presenting the reports, the NDD recommended that government at all levels should work with communities to standardize the laws governing elections into Community governance bodies such as CDC and CDA.
“Working with communities will enable easy establishment of land boundaries and a government institution responsible for addressing land disputes between communities.” It added.
Advising Government to establish programmes that aim to provide nonviolent means for youth to engage in politics and governance, the NDD charged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to increase support for small scale industrialization activities that will contribute to job creation for youth in Delta State.
Also in the recommendations was that the Local Government Authorities and Community Committees should investigate land dispute issues and liaise with State government to legally establish clear communal land boundaries.
The group further recommended that the LG authorities should organize consistent town hall meetings to facilitate the involvement of community leaders and ordinary citizens in governance.
“The LG authorities should develop specific programmes that are aimed to address drivers of insecurity in respective local government and publicly condemn violence as a means to resolve ethnic differences.” NDD recommended.
Encouraging citizens – civil societies, youth groups, religious leaders and other registered interest groups to develop and strengthen local level mechanisms for peace building and conflict prevention, NDD noted that developing nonviolent neighborhood watch systems will collaborate security agents.
The group added that traditional leaders should develop strategies for revitalizing norms and cultural practices that ensure the transfer of good values to young people in communities.
According to NDD, “Community leaders, working with local government authorities, should develop nonviolent strategies for youth deliquency.”