By Koko Robson

The United States Agency for International Development  (USAID) State2state has urged the  Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC)  and  relevant stakeholders in the priority   sectors of  Education, Health and WASH  to  put in place modalities to ensure  a  conflict free  Local Government elections in Akwa IBom state slated for  5^th October 2024.

The State Team Lead, Mr  Borve Paago-Imabe  addressing the participants

USAID gave the charged during a 2 -Day State2State Quarterly Dialogue on Conflict Mitigation and Prevention workshop for stakeholders  in the priority sector  on August 29^th– 30^th 2024 at Luton Park Hotels,   Uyo.

In his opening remarks, the State Team Lead, Mr  Borve Paago-Imabel, said the purpose of State2State activity is for proper management of finances at the local government level to ensure citizen needs are address, review contemporary issues as the state is preparing for local government election  and check government effort on conflict development programs and how they relate to a peaceable society.

Mr Cosmos Dinee, conflict Specialist anchoring a technical session

The Team lead who said  citizens are interested in the third tier of government with high  hope and concerns  on how they will manage the  financial autonomy amidst  inflation and  devaluation of naira,  called  on  the  Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC)  to conduct a free, fair and credible elections  even as  he urged  citizens to participate  in electing their leaders.

Mr Cosmos Dinee, a conflict Specialist, who identified conflict free environment as a panacea for development, noted that no meaningful development is achievable where there are conflicts, harped on the need for the state’s electoral body to ensure adequate steps are taken to safeguard lives and properties of both government and individuals before, during and after the local government elections.

participants

In his remarks, Elder (Hon) Eyaekop Umanah who represented the chairman of AKISIEC , updated stakeholders on their  preparedness for a non-violence election in the coming  weeks, outlined steps  taken for  a hitch free election .

Highlights of the event included, technical sessions where conflict issues in the first, second and third quarters were identified and their impacts on the peace and stability of the state, reviewed progress on the implementation of the Action Plans from Q1-Q3  and participation and role of women in conflict prevention and mitigation.

Stakeholders also recommended   approaches to mitigate/prevent recurrence of violent conflicts to strengthen stability in the state for effective service delivery as well as develop action plan to address identified or emerging key drivers of conflict.