By Our Correspondent

Deltans have been assured of the State Government’s commitment in sustaining the lasting peace in the State in order to ensure transformation of the State.

The special Assistant to the Governor on conflict resolution, Comrade Shedrack Agediga (2nd left), Comrade Sheriff Mulade, National Coordinator, CEPEJ (middle) and others during the visit.

The special Assistant to the Governor on conflict resolution, Comrade Shedrack Agediga stated this during a visit to the Centre For Peace And Environmental  Justice ( CEPEJ).

Comrade Shedrack Agediga described peace as a great tool that promotes development, adding that the State Government will continue to put and encourage measures aimed at sustaining continual peace in the state.

He said the reason for the visit to CEPEJ  was to seek   partnership with the foremost NGO in promoting and preaching the importance of peace to all Deltans.

He emphasized that the State Government will continue to partner with meaningful organisations that can help in preaching and sustaining the peace in the State.

He disclosed that  the office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Conflict Resolution will be holding a Peace Summit soon to mark World Peace Day in the State.

He said; “We have monitored the activities of CEPEJ, your NGO has tried in peace resolution and we want to collaborate with you; we want to partner with you and build bridges of unity. Governor Okowa Is desirous of building peace and respecting the rights of the people. There is need for us to work with credible NGO like CEPEJ  to see how we can work to make our state peaceful”.

Responding, the National Coordinator Of CEPEJ,  Comrade Sheriff Mulade appreciated Comrade Shedrack Agediga for the visit assuring that CEPEJ was willing to partner with the State Government in sustaining the peace that Deltans have continued to enjoy in the  State.

While saying that peace was not negotiable, Comrade Mulade pointed out  that a state in crisis cannot enjoy any form of development and urged all to join hands with the State Government in promoting peace.

In his words;” Peace is not negotiable where development is needed. As NGO, we are ready to work with peace promoters and we have identified Governor Okowa as a peace promoter. There has been peace in the state since he came on board. We will work with him for total peace in all parts of the state. No meaningful development can take place where there is no peace.”

But Comrade Sheriff Mulade appealed to the State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to extend his developmental strides to the riverine communities for them to feel  the impact of Government development.

“I want to use this medium of your visit to appeal to the Governor to extend development to our oil bearing riverine communities. Recently, the Governor commissioned over 50 projects in uplands, but non were commissioned in the riverine communities and it is my appeal to the Governor to extend hands of fellowship to the riverine communities”, he said.

The State through the office of the special Assistant to the Governor on Conflict Resolution will on September 21, 2016 celebrate World Peace Day in the State.