By Udeme Hosea

The United States Agency for International Development ( USAID)  State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness, (State2State) Activity has urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government  in Akwa Ibom State government to manage conflict to avoid escalation and be sensitive to security implication of violence conflict.

The State2State Conflict Specialist, Mr Cosmos Dinee who said violence conflict disrupts peace and affect productivity of the state, made this known during a one day State2state quarterly Conflict mitigation and prevention dialogue in Akwa Ibom State for MDAs  at Eemjm hotel , Uyo on June 21, 2024.

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.

Participants at the just concluded State2state quarterly Conflict mitigation and prevention dialogue in Akwa Ibom State for MDAs

Mr. Borve Paago-Imabel, explained that, the quarterly dialogue is aimed at addressing Conflicts issues as they affect socio-economic, peace and stability of the state, urged participants to give attention to details.

In his overview of conflict issues identified in the last quarter and their impact on peace and stability of state, the conflict Specialist Mr Cosmos Dinee, while facilitating the technical session highlighted emerging issues that affected the state to include, the nation wide Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) strike that paralyzed public offices, cult activities , murder of a church founder and members in Abak among others.

While deliberating on issues that can lead to conflict, participants noted political interference as a limitation to coordination power conflicting in some of the ARISE AGENDA projects.

At the end of the dialogue, stakeholders recommended increase police presence in the flash points areas, advocacy on  publication of the local government budget and the  need for Gender Based Violence advocates to manage GBV messages so as not to escalate conflict.

Present at the event were, State2State Conflict Specialist, LG Manager Dr Iboro Nelson and stakeholders in the priority sector of Health Care, Education and WASH.