In a significant development for peace and security in the Niger Delta region, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Government and Denmark, has launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening the Niger Delta Peace Architecture.
The project, unveiled in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, was inaugurated by His Excellency Senator Douye Diri, the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, alongside HE Ambassador Sune Krogstrup of Denmark and Dr. Oliver Stolpe, Country Representative of UNODC.
According to a press release by the UNODC Country Office in Nigeria, the initiative seeks to bolster the implementation of the 2022 Bayelsa State Community-Based Crime Prevention Strategy across five communities in Bayelsa State.
By empowering these communities through joint security committees, the project aims to proactively manage security environments, address root causes of crime and violence, and enhance collaboration between communities and law enforcement agencies.
Building on the success of its predecessor, funded by the Government of Germany between 2021 and 2023, which focused on developing and implementing the Community-Based Crime Prevention Strategy in Otuan, Ikeberi 1, and Ayamasa communities, the new project aims to amplify its impact and extend its reach.
The press release further highlighted key interventions from the previous phase, which included the refurbishment of police stations, police officer redeployment, training in community-oriented policing, the establishment of youth centers, the implementation of sports-based youth crime prevention programs, and investment in economic empowerment initiatives such as Garri processing plants and solar-powered streetlights.
Governor Douye Diri expressed confidence in the project’s potential to further strengthen peace and security across the Niger Delta, following the successful collaboration with the German Government and UNODC, which notably improved security in Bayelsa State.
Ambassador Sune Krogstrup emphasized the importance of community-based crime prevention and ineffective security strategies, expressing pride in partnering with the Bayelsa State government and UNODC to promote lasting peace in the region.
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Along with the project launch, Governor Douye Diri welcomed a delegation comprising ambassadors and high-level representatives from Finland, Germany, and the European Union. Discussions centered on developmental and security challenges in the Niger Delta, exploring avenues for international cooperation to address these issues, including the potential expansion of the community-based crime prevention approach pioneered in Bayelsa State.
