By Obiabin Onukwugha
A civic organization, Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has inaugurated local government Peace-building Committees across the eight local government areas of Bayelsa State, to deepen grassroots conflict resolution, strengthen early warning systems, and improve collaboration between community stakeholders and local authorities.
The initiative, which is being implemented under the European Union-funded project, “A Community-Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta,” empowers local stakeholders and reflects a growing regional commitment to localized, inclusive, and multi-stakeholder solutions to insecurity and social unrest.
Supported by a consortium of partners, including Search for Common Ground (SFCG) and Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), the newly formed LGPCs builds on the project’s Early Warning and Early Response structure, as well as bridging traditional conflict resolution practices with formal governance structures.
According to PIND, these committees serve as neutral, inclusive platforms that bring together traditional rulers, LGA officials, youth and women leaders, civil society groups, private sector actors, and security stakeholders to jointly identify, analyze, and respond to local conflict drivers.
Speaking at the launch, Etukudoh Faith, Team Lead for PIND’s EU/SFCG Project, Etukudoh Faith, highlighted the importance of giving local communities a leading voice in peace building.
“By institutionalizing regular and structured dialogue, we are not only fostering collaboration but also empowering communities to influence local policies and shape more peaceful, inclusive societies,” Faith said.
The PIND’s EU/SFCG Project Team Lead revealed that each of the LGPC is made up of 25 carefully selected representatives drawn from key stakeholder groups, including traditional institutions and community elders, youth and women leaders, persons living with disabilities, local government officials, security agencies (Police, DSS, NSCDC), civil society organizations, and private sector stakeholders.
Faith added that these committees will serve as structured hubs for collaboration – analyzing conflict trends, coordinating early responses, influencing local development agendas, and fostering trust between citizens and local authorities.
“They allow communities to move from reactive conflict response to proactive conflict prevention.This initiative strengthens PIND’s broader regional peacebuilding strategy by embedding conflict resolution structures directly within the communities most affected by instability,” the PIND’s EU/SFCG Project Team Lead said.
