Jos -The Plateau Government on Wednesday inaugurated a committee to reconcile the Berom and Fulani communities of Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South Local Governments Areas.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that attacks and counter attacks had been rife in the communities while several peace agreements had not checked the development.
Mr Rufus Bature, the Secretary to the State Government(SSG), who inaugurated the 16-man committee in Jos on behalf of Gov. Simon Lalong, said that it would examine the causes of conflicts and suggest ways to reconcile the parties.
“The formal inauguration of this committee is a practical demonstration of this administration’s desire to end the prolonged and unabated hostilities between the Berom and Fulani communities.
“It is indeed very sad and painful that these communities that have co-existed peacefully in the past and had much often resolved issues and disputes amicably no longer see eye to eye now,’’ he stated.
Bature said that the prolonged hostilities had led to the killing of several people, wanton destruction of property, displacement of hundreds of people and paralysis of economic activities.
He stated that as a state highly endowed with agricultural produce, solid minerals and tourism potential, the peace and security of its people could no longer be compromised if it was to attain its optimum potential.
Bature called on the committee headed by former SSG, Mr John Gobak, to treat the assignment with passion and seek out practical solutions to restore permanent peace in the communities.
He said that the committee had been given one month to submit its report.
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In his remarks, Gobak thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve and assured that the committee would do its best to ensure that peace returned to the communities. (NAN)