As part of efforts to curb unrest and incessant crisis in Plateau and Kaduna States, the European Union (EU) has  launched over N940million peace projects to work out modalities to bring about lasting peace and genuine reconciliation among warring communities.

Head of the EU delegation to the project launch, Mr Alan Munday, who disclosed this at the launching of the second phase of the project in Jos, said the project is financed with the EU’s Instrument Contributing to Stability and Peace and implemented by Apurimac Onlus, GIZ and Search for Common Ground.

Munday told CEOAFRIC that the need to re-launch the peace project had become necessary in order to consolidate on the gains already recorded by the implementing partners in the past years.

“We are impressed by the successes already achieved by the implementing partners in bringing about permanent peace in the state and reconciliation among the communities and the people. We believe that this second phase of the peace project will further consolidate on the achievements so far recorded and make peace a common aspiration among the people.”

Munday, who also paid a courtesy call on the governor of the state, was assured by Governor Simon Lalong that his administration was committed towards partnering with organisations that are ready to complement government’s efforts in the peace process in the state.

Lalong, who was represented by his deputy, Professor Sonni Tyoden, commended the EU for its contributions towards the wellbeing of Plateau citizens. He added that the state government was to establishing a bureau that will work towards the sustenance of peace in the state, in addition to building confidence in the citizenry.

Also speaking at the occasion, the management committee chairman of Barkin Ladi local government of the state, where the crises have become endemic, Mr Bulus Doro, lamented the high level of insecurity in the local government, stressing that the number of illegal weapons in the hands of individuals these days is alarming.

He also expressed worry on the high level of insecurity in the country, calling on government at all levels to find drastic solutions to it.