PIND Foundation inaugurates conflict prevention council in Onna — Premium Times Nigeria
The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has inaugurated a conflict prevention council in the Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The new body comprises eight people. The council is intended to strengthen local mechanisms for early warning, mediation and conflict prevention, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
Training for representatives of four clans
The inauguration took place on September 26 as part of a peacebuilding programme. About 30 representatives of Onna's four clans also took part in the event. They received training in mediation, early warning and early response, as well as conflict management strategies.
The event was chaired by Emmanuel Ikpe, a criminology and peacebuilding consultant from the Eket area, while the training session was conducted by PIND peacebuilding consultant Kufre Essien. Onna's paramount ruler, Raymond Inyang, said the council would work with the traditional institution to prevent conflicts, support peaceful coexistence and strengthen unity among the four clans.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Risks of land and boundary disputes
The Akwa Ibom State Conflict Prevention Council previously assessed peace in the state as relatively stable but fragile. It cited land and boundary disputes, tensions surrounding traditional titles and youth-related issues among the persistent risks. The council stressed the need for further investment in early warning and early intervention mechanisms.
Onna is an oil-producing area. Local stakeholders had previously called for greater accountability from oil companies and regulators over gas flaring, environmental pollution and the implementation of Petroleum Industry Act provisions concerning host communities. PIND's Prevent Council model envisages that local leaders and other influential community representatives will identify early signs of conflict, facilitate dialogue and support timely responses.
