The Executive Director, Voluntary Aid Initiative an NGO, based in Zamfara, Musa Umar has called on Zamfara Government to sustain “Protecting Our Communities Project”
A five-year project was implemented in the state by the VAI in partnership with NEEM Foundation and Karuna Center for Peace Building.
Umar who made the call in Gusau at the close out meeting of the protect, urged the state government to sustain the project in the state considering its impact to peace sustainably in the state.
Umar also called on the state government to revise farmers/headers committee that was abandoned in the state.
“We implemented the projects in Bungudu and Maru local government areas of the state.
“We established Early Warning, Early Response (EWER) committees at Six communities we are implementing the project across the two LGAs.
“In each community, we have 18-20 man member of EWER committee, while at LGAs level we have 28-man committee,” Musa Umar explained.
He commended the contributions of all stakeholders in the state on the success recorded during the five years journey of the project.
He urged Zamfara Government to expand and establish committee on Early Warning Early Response (EWER) at the remaining 12 local government areas in the state.
“The EWER Committees has significantly improved improved peace and stability in the committees that we implemented the project.
“I urged the state government to sustain the project and establish same EWER committee in the remaining 12 local government areas,” he added.
He appreciated the support and encouragement given by the Sole Administrators of Bungudu and Maru LGAs during the implementation of the project.
“I must sincerely acknowledge the contributions of the Emirs of Bungudu, Maru and Kwatarkwashi and the entire EWER committees for their outstanding performance, and support to the project”.
“We resolved over 1000 cases involving over 3000 parties across the six communities,” the Executive Director added.
In his remarks,the NEEM foundation DLO Mr Tizhe Maho disclosed that the success of the project depends on its sustainability, which he emphasisig that Six benefiting communities were behind the success so far recorded for the project.
He advised the benefited communities to remain steadfast and ensure protecting our community project sustain in the state.
Those Beneficiaries of the project Lawal Sankalawa and Chairman Miyetti Allah cattle breeders association Tukur Jangebe both maintained that the project has surely built the capacity of people in peace building.
According to them, many community now leave in peace as a result of dialogue between the warring factions, farmers,harders dispute now settle amicably.
The Secretary to Zamfara State Government, represented by Permanent Secretary Cabinet Affairs, Husaini Abubakar disclosed that security is the top priority of the present administration in the state under Governor Dauda Lawal.
He assured that the State Government would continue to partner with any organization that want to bring peace and development to the state.
