European Union (EU) Launches Ambitious Project to Tackle Violence and Foster Development in Niger Delta
In a concerted effort to address the persistent issue of violence in the Niger Delta region, the European Union has unveiled an extensive plan to invest in 60 communities across three Niger Delta states.
The initiative, named ‘A Community-Centered Approach to Transforming Criminality and Violence in the Niger Delta,’ was officially launched by Fatima Abubakar, the Country Director of Search for Common Ground, during an event held on Friday in Asaba, the capital of Delta State.
Abubakar emphasized that the project represents a significant milestone in collaborative efforts to promote inclusive community security approaches. The primary goal is to tackle the root causes of violence and criminality in the region, fostering resilience and building a more secure environment.
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The investment will cover 24 communities in 12 local government areas in Delta State, as well as 26 communities spanning 13 Local Government Areas in Rivers State, including Bayelsa State.
The comprehensive strategy aims to address the systemic drivers of violence and criminality in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, with a focus on fostering inclusivity and community-driven approaches. Abubakar highlighted the organization’s familiarity with the local context, history, challenges, and conflict dynamics that have shaped the region’s current landscape.
Notably, the European Union has a history of successful initiatives in the Niger Delta, such as the ‘Tomorrow is a New Day’ project implemented from 2013 to 2015. This violence-reduction project played a crucial role in stabilizing the region, facilitating the peaceful reintegration of ex-militants, and promoting community reconciliation.
Infrastructure development, including the construction of internal roads and community radio stations in Koko and Oporoza communities, was a tangible outcome of this previous project.
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Abubakar urged all stakeholders to seize this opportunity to contribute to building a resilient and peaceful Delta State, setting an example for sustainable development and community-driven transformation.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori expressed gratitude to the European Union for their commitment and commended the ‘bottom-up, inclusive, and community-centered approach’ of the project.
He emphasized the importance of fairness, transparency, and accountability in managing the project, stating that it represents a significant human capital development effort.
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The governor pledged continued collaboration with the European Union and other partners in the oil-rich region, aiming to nurture a new generation of leaders and thinkers that will positively influence the narrative in the Niger Delta.
According to Oborevwori, the EU-funded projects are designed to systematically impart knowledge, skills, and attitudes to instill a renewed sense of civic responsibility in the target communities through the building of strong intra- and inter-community relationships.
