On Wednesday, the Danish government launched a 1.19 million Danish Krone (N2.4bn) community-based security and vocational skills programme in support of the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) crime prevention and enhancement of community-based security projects in Bayelsa State.
The initiative, which is in furtherance of ongoing UNODC projects in the state and the Niger Delta region, will be implemented in five communities across the state, empowering them through joint security committees to manage the security of their environment proactively as well as helping to address the root causes of crime and violence.
According to the Danish government, the programme will also enhance collaboration between communities and law enforcement agencies in the process of building trust and fostering lasting partnerships.
The Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria/Cameroon/Equatorial Guinea/Republic of Congo/Central African Republic/Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Mr. Sune Krogstrup, disclosed this at a joint press conference alongside Governor Douye Diri.
The press conference held in Government House, Yenagoa, was also attended by the European Union Ambassador to the Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Samuela Isopi; the Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and ECOWAS, Ms. Leena Pylvänäinen; the German Deputy Consul General in Nigeria, Gerald Wolf; and the UNODC Country Representative, Dr. Oliver Stolpe.
Mr Krogstrup said the importance of Bayelsa State and the entire Niger Delta region to the economy of Nigeria cannot be overemphasised, adding that as a seafaring nation with between 30 and 40 vessels around the Gulf of Guinea, Denmark was concerned about the area, which includes Bayelsa and the Niger Delta.
The envoy stressed that this concern underscored the significance of the new projects and support for the Bayelsa government, saying, “It is our hope that this support will enhance peace and security and sustainable development in vulnerable communities.
“Community-based crime prevention is a cornerstone of effective security strategies. We are proud to partner with the Bayelsa State government and UNODC to empower communities and promote lasting peace.”
Sune reaffirmed his government’s commitment to addressing the root causes of crime and violence at sea and on land in the heart of the Gulf of Guinea, which is Bayelsa and the Niger Delta region.
In his remarks, the UNODC Country Representative, Mr Oliver Stolpe, said the new projects would focus on strengthening the Niger Delta peace architecture and community-based crime prevention strategies in the state.
He noted that the key element of the project was the evaluation of the implementation of the community-based crime prevention strategies and the three action plans in the three pilot communities of Otuan, Ayamasa, and Ikebiri 1 undertaken in the first phase between 2021 and 2023 with funding from the German government.
In his opening remarks, Governor Douye Diri advocated the need for stronger ties with the international community to foster peace, security, job creation, and sustainable development in the state.
Senator Diri expressed appreciation to Denmark, the other European nations, and UNODC for their invaluable contributions in sustaining peace and security in communities, particularly for the launch of some empowerment projects last year at Otuan, Ikebiri in Southern Ijaw, and Ayamasa in Ekeremor local government areas.
The governor also solicited the support of the EU and other international development partners in addressing unemployment through the development of agro-allied businesses and small and medium-scale enterprises to boost peace and security in the state.
To enhance security across communities, the state’s helmsman said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has to be given another look, stressing that the implementation of the Act had generated crises in some communities because state governments were not involved in the legislation process.
Diri said the governors of the Niger Delta were proposing a bill to harmonise community administration for the successful implementation of the PIA.
Diri, who highlighted the efforts of his administration towards enhancing small and medium-scale enterprises in the state, said it will prioritise aquaculture development as the state has a comparative advantage in the sector.
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