Benue: Embracing stability in communities through ‘Powering Peace, Climate Action Project’
On the 5th of September, 2024, International Alert implemented the “Powering Peace, Climate Action Project” which brought together stakeholders and indigenous people of Ologba and Egba communities in Agatu LGAs and the Tivs and Jukuns in Fiidi community in Makurdi LGA which led to the signing of peace pact that would forstal future conflict; ADEOLA AKINBOBOLA was there.
For many years, the longstanding feud between the Egba and Ologba communities and the Tivs and Jukuns in Fiidi community in Makurdi Local Government Area, primarily stemmed from disputes over ownership of a fish pond. The result is that lives have been lost, properties running into millions have been destroyed.
However, a peace effort by International Alert in partnership with the Benue State Peace Commission and local community-based organizations working in the State signed a peace agreement that mitigated the conflicts.
The peace agreement witnessed by stakeholders was borne out of the desire to resolve the conflict between all parties.
Projects implemented by International Alert
The Country Director of International Alert, Dr. Paul Bemshima Nyulaku at the agreement signing ceremony explained that the project called: “Powering Peace through Climate Action Project” aims to work together with marginalised and divided communities to increase their access to knowledge as well as build trust through dialogue and cooperation.
He said some of the projects implemented by International Alert include the Training and establishment of briquette making factory, provision of industrial level Fish Kiln machine, the establishment of fish ponds, two solar-powered industrial boreholes with 15,000 liters capacity to support drip irrigation farming, fish pond established and the provision of portable drinking water for the community.
Others are the installation of a weather station, installation of a biogas plant to support provision of power for the weather station, briquette making machines and clean cooking gas for community members.
Nyulaku also explained that the communities have gone through a long process of dialogue and negotiations on the issues which led to conflicts in those locations.
Other implementing partners are Angel Support Foundation for Agatu (Egba, Ologba and Ekaida) and Kende Aveese Foundation (Fiidi).
Peace adaptation plans
The conflict has always been for the control of natural resources such land, water, fish ponds, Nyulaku explained they had to take the communities through a participatory process where they were able to come up with their local peace adaptation plans.
He further explained that the peace adaptation plans would help them to deal with the impact of climate change, build social cohesion and also increase income.
He said the project, powering peace through climate actions, focuses on peace initiatives that have climate relevance for the communities.
Beneficiaries
One of the elders from the Jukun community, Lawe Asenya who couldn’t hold his excitement explained that for years ago, none of them could sit together but he thanked God for the intervention of International Alert who made it happen.
He said some early wins of the project is the resolution of age long conflict between Ologba and Egba communities in Agatu LGAs and the Tivs and Jukuns in Fiidi community in Makurdi LGA.
Another elder from Tiv community, Chief Zaki Gwaza lauded International Alert for the intervention noting that for many years, he hasn’t witnessed peaceful gathering for a long time after the clash.
On Peace and Social cohesion, Toundo Japhet from the Fiddii community lauded International Alert for their intervention and said they were trained on briquette making, cutting of trees, fish ponds, and training of fishes.
