Bayelsa President of Customary Court Of Appeal supports establishment of State’s Community Peace Commission
By: Odieh Ramon, Yenagoa.
President, Bayelsa State customary court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Ayah has thrown his weight for the establishment of the Bayelsa State Community Peace Commission in consolidating the gains of sustainable peace and fast tracking development across the oil and gas rich State, Bayelsa.
Justice Ayah stated this while playing host to Chairman and Members of the Bayelsa State Peace Architecture as well as Members of the Advocacy, Advisory and Draft Committee of the Bayelsa State Community Peace Commission led by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Community Development and Executive Chairman of the Bayelsa State Peace Architecture, Hon Alfred Watson Belemote.
The Appeal Court Justice who reeled out the gains of peace in any society pointed out that his call was renewed following the accelerated passage and consideration of similar laws establishing the State Peace Commission, Agencies, Directorate and Bureau in Kaduna,Taraba, Adamawa, Nassarawa, Benue and other parts of the country.
Justice Ayah rightly observed that Bayelsa State which has contributed to the economic base of the nation should take the lead to establish the Community Peace Commission in the Niger Delta region as he further tasked the SPA and other Peace agents to collaborate and join forces for the promotion of peace in the State to lessen the burden of justice delivery as a proactive step in the right direction.
” This is a fantastic idea, I am pleased with the composition of the drafting committee cutting across all strata of the society led by a Senator of no mean repute, Senator Nimi Barigha Amange” I am patiently waiting to flip the pages of the proposed bill that will turn the fortune of community peace in Bayelsa using the Commission as a springboard towards a sustainable peace building process in Bayelsa that will escalate to the entire Niger Delta region” Justice Daniel Ayah concluded.
Bayelsa State Commissioner for Community Development and Executive Chairman of the State Peace Architecture who is also a Co-chairman of the Community Peace Commission drafting Committee hinted that the visit was aimed at soliciting the buy-in of the Judiciary on the establishment of the Bayelsa State Community Peace Commission through a legislature as well as collaborate on efforts towards reducing in- mates at the Okaka Correctional centre.
The Community Development Commissioner was joined by a retired DSS State Director, Ngobiowei Abiowei, who is also the Special Adviser 2 to the Governor of Bayelsa State on Security Matters, Bishop Doutimi Egbegi, Technical Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, SP Francis Opuomoni, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Barr Dise Ogbise-Harry, President DO, Foundation- International, Jonah Ekimie, Representing Nigeria Immigration Service, NSCDC Personnel, Dr Inebaraton Preye, Secretary, Bayelsa State Peace Architecture,SPA, Mr Ayitu Opuwill, Governance Specialist, Search for Common Ground, Mr Friday Otor, Hyacinth P and other staff from the Ministry of Community Development.
