IPCR partners stakeholders to end conflict in Ondo

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The Director General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Bakut Tswat Bakut has informed that the Institute would partner key stakeholders such as National Boundary Commission (NBC), Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGF), Department of Petroleum Resources, (DPR), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the government of Ondo and Delta States to find lasting solution the conflict bedeviling Tsekelewuand Ojumole Communities in Ondo State.
In a statement released in Abuja yesterday and signed by the Head, Press and Information of the Institute, Musa Mato noted the Director General made this known in Abuja while receiving a delegation from Ondo State Government led by the Hon. Commissioner of Environment, Mr. Funso Esan.
According to the statement, “Dr. Bakut said that IPCR has the mandate and capacity to investigate immediate and remote causes of the crisis and to suggest solutions or intervene.
“He says, “Your present here is recognition of what the Institute is doing in terms of settling crisis, and I am assuring you that all the stakeholders involved would meet with a view to offering multiple solutions to the problem. He added that the Institute would dispatch research officers to conduct critical research into the conflict.
“In his contribution, the Director Internal Conflict Prevention and Resolution Mr. Peter Opara, called on the affected communities to learn how to live in peace with one another” the statement read in part.
Leader of the delegation, who is also the Hon. Commissioner of Environment of Ondo State, Mr. Esan, said that the rationale behind their visit was to sought for professional intervention from IPCR in an effort to solve the lingering crisis between Tsekelewuand Ojumole Communities in Ondo State.
According to him, Tsekelewu and Ojumole are oil well communities in Ondo state very close to Delta State.
Meanwhile, Bakut also said that his management has entrenched orderliness and equity in the administration of the welfare of staff of the institute.
He made this known Tuesday while delivering his goodwill message at the Opening Ceremony of the Quadrennial Delegates Conference of Non Academic Staff Union (NASU), Abuja Council held at the Conference Hall of the Institute
Bakut represented by the Director of Administration, Mr Sam Abi added that since his assumption of office, he has taken deliberate steps to address some of the lingering labour issues in the Institute.