By Musa Isa Ahmed
Lawmakers at the Adamawa State House of Assembly has passed a bill for a law to establish Peace and Conflict Resolution and Social Integration Commission.
If finally established, the Commission will adopt proactive measures in developing and implementing strategies that would promote peace and harmonious coexistence in the state.
Equally, the Commission will observe the principles of impartiality, fairness, transparency, justice, protection of human rights in handling cases.
The Commission is also expected to put an end to ethno -religious disturbances, communal and seasonal crisis through involvement of all stakeholders in decision making.
However part of the functions of the Commission is engagement in conflict monitoring and mitigation activities, organising regular joint interactive meetings in communities, designing and implementing peace advocacy programmes in mass media, carrying out peace advocacy work in schools and public places including worship centres.
Also, the Commission will promote mutual understanding and respect between farmers, herdsmen/pastoralists through sensitisation and regular joint interactive meetings with community leaders to settle disputes and resolve common problems.
It will also assist the government in formulating policies and measures that will promote general security, social stability and compliance with rule of law, develop strategies that will check negative social values and vices capable of causing crisis in the state.
Members of the Commission, according to the law, shall receive their remuneration and allowances as the Governor may approve from time to time, and that the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Permanent Commissioners shall be removed from office by the Governor following resolution by two -third majority of House of Assembly.
The Commission shall comprise Chairman, Vice Chairman, 2 Permanent Commissioners, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Commander of the Vigilante, 3 LGC Chairmen representing 3 Senatorial Districts, representatives of Muslims and Christians, representatives of traditional institutions, youth, farmers among others.
The passage of the bill followed a motion to that effect by the Deputy Majority of the House, Hon. Japheth Kefas(Gombi) and Seconded by Minority Leader, Hon. Muhammed Mutawali(Girei).
After the enactment, the Speaker of the House, Rt.Hon.Aminu Iya Abbas directed the clerk to prepare a clean copy of the bill for Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s assent.
