IOM Can Do A Lot More in Taraba, Says Peace Bureau Chairman
By Our Correspondent
Leading a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Yola Sub office of the International Organization For Migration (IOM), one of the implementing partners of COMITAS II PROJECT in Adamawa and Taraba States, the Chairman of the Taraba State Bureau for Peace and Conflict Management, (TSBPCM) Bishop Innocent Rubiruka Solomon says considering the role played during the implementation of COMITAS II PROJECT in Adamawa and Taraba States, the IOM can do a lot more in Taraba state.
He identified such areas as Peace building, capacity building for civil society organizations, safeguarding the well-being and dignity of displaced persons and strengthening partnerships across the humanitarian–development–peace nexus are fertile grounds for intervention.
Stating the purpose of the visit, the Chairman said:
“1. To let IOM know that TSBPCM exists. A creation of the visionary leadership and administration of His Excellency Dr Agbu Kefas with a clear vision, mission and mandate for conflict prevention and management in Taraba State.
“2. To learn about IOM, your projects, programs especially as it relates to migration, displacement and peace building.
“3. To engage and identify potential areas of collaboration and synergy between IOM and TSBPCM
“4. To discuss ways to strengthen our partnership and support each other’s efforts.
“5. Explore through you other linkages and partnership that will benefit our work in Taraba State.
He expressed optimism that the visit will among other things:
“1. Enhance our understanding of each other’s work and initiatives
“2. Identify opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing
“3. Strengthen our partnership and support each other’s efforts in peace building and conflict resolution”.
In his response, the IOM Head of Office in Adamawa State, Mr Maliki Hamidine, was excited with the successes achieved in Taraba State through COMITAS I and II as recalled by the Chairman of the Bureau, appreciating the collaboration and partnership of the Taraba State Government towards achieving the feat.
He however, advised the Taraba State Government to strengthen and maintain the peace structures established during the COMITAS II intervention and gear up efforts to replicate same in other areas now that the Bureau is in place to achieve and sustain peace for the overall progress of the state.
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On its part, he expressed the willingness of the International Organization for Migration, IOM at all times to collaborate with the Taraba State Government in the area of peace and conflict resolution.
Also speaking at the meeting, Mr Muktar Abubakar, the PGLS representative, appreciated the Taraba State Government for accepting and working with IOM in the COMITAS II project, which led to the successes.
While restating the readiness of IOM to work with the Taraba State Government, he however, stressed that the initiative must first come from government especially in the area of drawing up a work plan and clearly identifying needs through a quality data assessment.
