International Alert, an NGO funded by the UK Conflict Security and Stability Fund (CSSF) launched a project entitled: “Promoting Stability, Access to Justice and Accountability’’ in Kaduna on Wednesday.
The project is to be executed in Zamfara and Kaduna State.
Participants at the launch included government officials, heads of security organisations, traditional and religious leaders, Civil Society Organisations, the media and academia from the two states.
Addressing the launch, Country Director of International Alert, Mr Paul-Bemshima Nyalaku said the project aimed at inclusive participation of community groups in alternative dispute resolution to reduce the prevalence of community-level violence.
He noted that Kaduna and Zamfara are part of Northwest region where the security situation had deteriorated over the last decade and had been increasing since 2019.
“The project also aim at providing marginalized groups, especially women with opportunities and platforms to make their voices heard and advocate for their concerns.
“This project is also to create favorable environment for women and other vulnerable groups by dealing with prevalent sexual and gender-based violence.
“The outcome will entail sustained high-level engagements, evidence-based advocacy and a well thought-out process to enable national and regional initiatives to respond to challenges at the community level,’’ Nyalaku explained.
In his remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice in Zamfara, Malam Musa Garba restated government’s commitment to ensure that the project succeeded.
According to him, the Zamfara already enacted several laws to promote access to justice and accountability.
“The laws are the Zamfara Penal Code 2023; the Administration of Criminal Justice 2023; Banditry and Kidnapping Law; and the law establishing the Anti-thuggery Agency.
“Other relevant laws include the Zamfara Public Complaints Commission Law (Amended) 2023, Violence against Persons Law 2023, Zamfara State Hisbah Law, Zamfara Disability Law and Zamfara Child Protection Law 2023.
“Three new departments were established in the Ministry of Justice to also promote access to justice,’’ he said.
They are the Department of Alternative Dispute Resolution, the Department of Citizens’ Right and the Office of the Public Defender and the Department of Justice Sector Reform.
Garba noted that the Directorate of Peace and Reconciliation was also established in Zamfara in furtherance of the promotion of peace and stability.
