By Udeme Hosea

As part of effort to improve service delivery in Health care, Education and WASH and building capacity to manage conflicts through mitigation and prevention dialogue, the United States Agency International Development (USAID State2State) Activity held a one day quarterly conflict prevention and mitigation dialogue for  stakeholders  and relevant government officials in Akwa Ibom  state.

The quarterly dialogue which took place at Luton Park Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday 28/2/2024 examined the key drivers of conflicts identified last quarter.

In his welcome remarks, the State Team Lead (STL), Mr. Borve Paago-Imabel  said,  State2State activity works to increase responsiveness to citizen priorities and  improve stakeholders capacity in managing  conflict through prevention, mitigation and reconciliation.

Mr. Borve Paago-Imabel, represented by Dr Iboro Nelson, explained that, the quarterly dialogue is aimed at addressing Conflicts issues as they affect socio-economic, peace, stability, look into the Local Government budget and identify the drivers of conflict arising from the implementation of the budget, as survival is an important aspect government should tackle.

Participants at the one day quarterly conflict prevention and mitigation dialogue in Akwa Ibom State

Dr Nelson, further added that, the dialogue is timely to address the economic crisis in Nigeria, especially the serial protests due to hike in prices of commodity, urged participants to take advantage of the dialogue which is for the  stability of the state  and  betterment of the people.

In his goodwill message, the Director General,  Fiscal Responsibility Board, Mr Victor Edet, commended USAID State2State for the positive impact Akwa Ibom State has derived through their engagements, stressed that, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework ( MTEF) which the state used to hire consultant for the purpose  is now produced by the state officials courtesy of USAID State2State.

The Director General,  Fiscal Responsibility Board, Mr Victor Edet

Edet, however announced that, through the intervention of USAID State2State, the board now boosts of a standard Budget Calendar for both state and Local Government Area, Budget Process Manuel which defined roles of different MDAs , as well as build the capacity of the accounting staff to develop cash management plan and  Arrears  clearance framework.

Other organizations including , Breakthrough Action Nigeria, Center for Clinical Care & Clinical Research Nig. ( CCCRN), President’s Malaria Initiative For States and KNCV all applauded USAID for their governance intervention activities.

Participants at the one day quarterly conflict prevention and mitigation dialogue in Akwa Ibom State

In his overview of Conflict issues identified in the last quarter, the Conflict Specialist, Mr Cosmos Dinee, while facilitating the technical session led participants to examine the 2023 states and Local government budget and how their implementation contributed to mitigating the drivers of conflict arising from service delivery.

Comrade Ejiro Okotie , the Gender specialist, in her presentation on participation and roles of women in conflict prevention and mitigation,  suggested  the need for social inclusion governance system, as exclusion comes with negative implication like conflict and violence.

For peace and stability in the state, stakeholders recommended the following approaches to mitigating and preventing recurrence of violent conflicts to strengthen stability of the state for effective delivery to include, budgetary provision, to monitor implementation / release of budget for projects,  provide training for women among others.