The European Union through an International Non-Governmental Organization, Search for Common Ground, (Search), has partnered with Bundu-Ama and Igbisikala-Ama communities in Port Harcourt City local government area as well as security agencies to create a crime-free environment.

The organisation’s representatives, the community members including youths, men and women as well as some security operatives at the weekend embarked on a Peace Walk on major streets from the Old Port Harcourt Township and marched to the Central Police Station (CPS) in the area and the Borikiri Police Division.

The Head of Office and Programme Implementations in Niger Delta, Mr.Yacinthe Agbadjagan, said the move was aimed at fostering unity, strengthening trust and collaboration between the communities and security agencies.

He explained that the peace walk was part of the organisation’s social cohesion programmes aimed at promoting peace and security in Bundu-Ama and Igbisikala-Ama communities and the Niger Delta region.

According to him,the social cohesion for youth/communities and government security actors was being implemented by the organisation across 66 communities, in 33 local government areas in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States.

He explained that the social cohesion initiative, is a project funded by the European Union and implemented by SEARCH in collaboration with three other organizations namely, Stakeholder Democracy Network, (SDN), Foundation for Partnership Initiative in, PIND, and AAPW.

He commended the communities and security agencies especially the Police, for synergising with them to create a crime free environment that is conducive for residents and business owners to live and operate.

Speaking, the Chairman, Bundu-Ama Elders Council, Dasika George, lauded the organisation for restoring peace in the community.

He said, “Bundu-Ama in the past was tagged a very horrible and volatile place. We are very happy with what Search for Common Ground did for us and is still doing. This NGO has brought peace to Bundu-Ama and in Rivers State by extension.”

He advised youths of the community and all residents of the Old Port Harcourt township to embrace and support the peace brought to them by the organisation.

“Since tthey came to this area, we have witnessed a lot of changes, killings, kidnapping, armed robbery, criminal activities have been minimized, so we are happy and grateful to SEARCH, and the security agencies for these achievements”.

Also, Chairman of SEARCH’s Community Peace Architecture in Igbisikala-Ama Community, Jeremiah Igbos said their partnership with the organisation has impacted his people immensely.

The security agencies commended the organisation for the initiative and reaffirmed their commitments in the state to protecting lives and properties.