The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Community Development, Hon. Alfred Belemote, has been nominated as Executive Chairman of the State Peace Architecture (SPA) in a programme to strengthen peace building in Bayelsa State and its environs.
It was gathered that the nomination letter was presented in Yenagoa to the Commissioner by the Governance Coordinator representing Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta States in the Search for Common Ground project, Mr Ayitu OpuWill.
Opuwill was accompanied by representatives of the Social Democratic Network (SDN), Partners for Peace in the Niger Delta (PIND), as well as Academic Associate Peace Works (AAPW) on the project community centred approach to transforming the Niger Delta to foster inclusive community security approaches to promote peace.
The Bayelsa Commissioner received the team alongside the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Naten M. E. Opuene, at his office.
Belemote, while speaking, reiterated the role of peace building and development in the rural areas.
He pledged to collaborate with all structures of Search for Common Ground beginning with the Community Peace Architecture (CPA) Local Government Peace Architecture (LGPA) and the State Peace Architecture (SPA).
He also promised to domicile the SPA within the Ministry in line with the state government’s drive to promote peace and fast track development in the rural communities.
Bekemote assured that he will quickly review the processes to institutionalize peace building in the rural areas to promote peace in line with global best practices.
The Search for Common Ground governance coordinator was accompanied by Dr. Inebaraton Preye, Secretary Bayelsa State Peace Architecture (SPA); Mr. Abebe Edionghen, National Orientation Agency; Mr. Uzor Opara, National Human Rights Commission; CSC Timilaemi Ekpoebimene, Nigeria Correctional Services; Mr. Edet Ekpeyong, Heroes Foundation; and Dr. Amatare Mozimo – Member, Bayelsa State Peace Architecture.
Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of SPA paraphernalia from the EU Sponsors of the project comprising branded SPA diaries and T Shirts by The Governance Coordinator (Mr. Opuwill) to the Commissioner and the Permanent Secretary, Mr Nathan Opuene.
