By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-01-20 04:26:43
The founding of a non-profit organization, the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has met with skepticism in various circles. This report highlights the potential issues with the initiative and how it can effectively address the security challenges in the Southeast region for the benefit of its people and the nation as a whole. This project is aimed at restoring law and order in the Southeast zone of the country.
The Southeast geo-political zone is presently burdened by insecurity, which has negatively impacted its economy. Kalu has been vocal about the negative effects of the sit-at-home order imposed by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the repercussions it has on businesses and the local economy. As estimated by Kalu, the transportation sector of the zone alone loses between N10 billion and N13 billion every day due to the sit-at-home order.
In response to these challenges, Kalu launched the PISE-P intervention, aimed at employing non-kinetic means to address the security challenges in the Southeast zone. The organization has outlined eight pillars, including education, agriculture, commerce/industry, infrastructural development, culture and tourism, sports/entertainment, governance/leadership, and reconciliation/rehabilitation/reintegration, which will serve as the focus areas for its efforts.
Shortly after its launch, PISE-P introduced an action plan to implement its eight thematic pillars. This plan includes addressing socio-economic challenges, enhancing security and peace-building, stakeholder engagement, strategic implementation, resource management, monitoring and evaluation, communication and awareness, as well as promoting and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
Despite these efforts, some stakeholders, including IPOB, have criticized the initiative. IPOB described the PISE-P initiative as a political tactic and discouraged Kalu from using their leader’s ordeal to further his own political interests. However, Chief Chekwas Okorie, a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), commended Kalu for initiating the peace project, advising him to widen the project’s scope and involve a wide range of stakeholders in its implementation.
In a recent statement, Okorie encouraged Kalu to persist in his efforts despite dissenting voices and suggested that he collaborate with local governors and non-politicians to facilitate the success of the initiative. While Kalu has faced skepticism and criticism from political groups like IPOB, some individuals recognize the value of the peace project and support its objectives. Ultimately, the success of PISE-P will depend on its ability to navigate the complexities of political and social dynamics in the Southeast region and gain the trust and support of the local population.
Read the original article on The Guardian
