Dikko Radda of Katsina on Monday launched the 5.1 million Euro European Union-funded Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response, and Resilience (CPCRR)
By Zubairu Idris
Gov Dikko Radda of Katsina on Monday launched the 5.1 million Euro European Union-funded Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response, and Resilience (CPCRR)
project to strengthen peace and stability in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 18-month project, funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Mercy Corps.
NAN reports that the project being implemented in eight local government areas in Katsina and two in Zamfara State, builds on a previous initiative that benefited over 95,000 people.
Radda described the project as a new era of hope, partnership, and collective action designed to empower communities, particularly women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
“The conflict prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience Project is built on the successes of the Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation project also supported by EU, and implemented by the IOM, Mercy Corps and CDD,” he said.
According to him, the initiative has helped in solving crisis in several communities and facilitated return of several displaced persons, and strengthened inter-communal trust.
“Today, we are scaling up what worked, expanding geographical coverage, deepening impact and socialising the best practices.
“We already have existing relationship with UNDP, and is funded by some European countries, especially German government, and they are helping us to resolve crisis,” Radda said.
He added that the state government has another partnership with France, to build a one mega watt hydro power project at Danja dam.
The governor said that the CPCRR was aimed at preventing violence before it starts, heeling trauma and creating condition for sustainable peace and development.
He said to ensure accountability, coordination and sustainability, the state government was fully taking lead in the project, and proud to inaugurate the steering committee.
“Mandate of the committee includes overseeing implementation alignment with the state development plan, ensuring fund utilisation and transparency in procurement, facilitating inter-agency collaboration and information sharing.
“Engaging traditional and religious institutions as peace partners, and monitoring reports.
“We are not passive beneficiary, we are active core creators of peace and development,” he said
He, therefore, called on the traditional rulers and religious leaders to continue using their platforms to preach tolerance, mediate dispute and protect vulnerability.
Radda explained that the project would empower youth and women with skills, resources, leadership opportunities to enable them become peace-builders, entrepreneurs and advocate for justice, been them agents of change.(NAN) www.nannews.ng