From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
Critical stakeholders in peace building in Kaduna State rose from a one-day peace conference to call on the Kaduna State Government under Governor Uba Sani to treat peace budgetary as he treats security vote.
The peace conference themed: “Strengthening Coordination of Peace Interventions in Kaduna” organised by Kaduna State Peace Commission in collaboration with AID Foundation, Nigerian Network of Facilitators with support from United State Institute of Peace brought together who is who in peace building processes in the State.
The call which was one the resolutions contained in a communique issued by the members of the communique drafting committee who are Emmanuel Bonet, Sekyen Dadik, Kaltumi Abdullazeez and Hannatu Ahuwan said the call became necessary to ensure peaceful Kaduna State.
“There is a need to treat peace budget as an emergency or emergency fund just as we have the security vote”, they said.
The communique further read in part: “There is the need to streamline interventions on the part of partners and cooperation among sister Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
A coordinated framework to ensure quality service of the justice system and advancing alternative dispute resolution system with the Budget and Planning Commission, Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary.
“New budget lines incorporated in MDAs to deal with issues of conflict management and peace-building particularly Ministry of Agriculture, Human Services and Social Development, Internal Security and Home Affairs, Ministry of Health with a specific focus on psycho-social support and counselling as it is instrumental to peace and stability.
“New budget lines in the Ministry of Education to train teachers and the guidance and counselling unit of institutions to inculcate peace education which is central to building peaceful and a stable future.
“New budget lines in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to boost operational capacity of traditional leaders in promoting peace in their communities.
“Prioritize strategic investment in peace building; strategic efforts should mobilize skill-sets and expertise from the community to the state level.
“A collaboration between Government, CSOs, Local actors and all stakeholders will be more efficient in amplifying impact, accelerate progress in promoting peace processes.
“There should be a coordination that is coherent and complimentary and a holistic approach that tackles the root of conflict, fosters social cohesion and promotes inclusive development”