Delta State Government has been called upon to find a lasting solution to the intractable intra-communal crisis bedeviling oil rich Ekpan community in Uvwie Council of the state.
A foremost Non-Governmental Organization, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), makes the appeal Monday, stating that government has a big role to play in bringing the warring factions to a roundtable with a view to resolving the logjam.
The Center notes that the crisis has becomes a recurring decimal with attendant loss of lives even as property valued at several millions of naira have been destroyed.
The Center reasons that residents of the community were now living in apprehension because of insecurity, stating that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere wracked by rancor and bad blood.
The group wants the various groups, namely, the elders, women, security agents, civil society group(s) and government to meet and brainstorm on the thorny issues and find solutions to them.
‘’From the discussions, we will know the cause or causes of the problem and how to proffer enduring solution to the problem’’.
CEPEJ calls on the warring parties to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign for the safety of lives and property and development of the community.
The Centers adds that the recommendations of the previous peace parleys should be adhered to by the warring factions and that those who hide under the crisis to carry out criminal activities should be fished out and punished.
It suggests that the government and civil society groups need to come together and establish peace building networks comprising of selected elders, women, youths, security agents including non-indigenes to interface and advocate for stable ceasefire in the community.
Signed:
Comrade Sheriff Mulade
National Coordinator, CEPEJ.
