Lasting peace requires rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, and strengthening community resilience — CPCRR Deputy Chairperson
The Katsina State Government has appealed to the European Union (EU) to support a new phase of post-conflict rehabilitation, reconstruction, and livelihood restoration across the state’s eight frontline Local Government Areas affected by insecurity.
The appeal was made by the Deputy Chief of Staff and Deputy Chairperson of the CPCRR Committee, Hon. Muntari Aliyu Saulawa, at the Katsina State Project Steering Committee Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments.
The CPCRR Programme is funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), and Mercy Corps.
Saulawa thanked the EU and its partners for supporting peacebuilding, community reconciliation, livelihood restoration, stronger early warning systems, mediation platforms, psychosocial support, Quick Impact Projects, and improved coordination among government institutions.
“Beyond responding to crises, the CPCRR Programme has strengthened local institutions, improved collaboration among stakeholders, and empowered communities to take greater ownership of peacebuilding efforts. These gains provide a strong foundation for sustainable recovery and future development,” Saulawa said.
He noted that the recent peace accord has restored relative peace in several frontline communities but stressed that rebuilding homes, schools, healthcare centres, markets, and livelihoods must now become the priority.
“While the peace accord has brought appreciable peace to many affected communities, the scale of the need remains high. Relief saves lives, but lasting peace requires resettlement, reconstruction, and sustainable livelihoods,” he stated.
Saulawa said genuine recovery depends on decent housing, jobs, skills development, access to finance, and essential public services, particularly for women and young people.
“People cannot fully recover if they return to communities with no shelter, no jobs, and no services. Our youth need skills and opportunities, women need capital and safe markets, while communities need their infrastructure rebuilt,” he added.
He appealed to the European Union to support a standalone Post-Crisis Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Livelihood Restoration Programme for the affected communities.
According to him, the proposed intervention should include the construction of houses for displaced families.
He said the intervention should also cover the reconstruction of schools, Primary Healthcare Centres, and markets destroyed by conflict, using the successful UNDP Housing Project in Jibia as a model for replication.
Saulawa further called for expanded livelihood support through the provision of agricultural inputs, grants for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), vocational and skills acquisition programmes, and improved access to finance for women and young people.
He commended IOM, CDD, and Mercy Corps for their commitment, noting that the proposed intervention aligns with Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s Building Your Future agenda.
He assured development partners of the state’s commitment to provide counterpart support, land, and coordination for effective implementation.
“The European Union, IOM, CDD, and Mercy Corps have demonstrated that partnership delivers results. Let us build on this momentum and move from crisis management to recovery and resilience. Your continued support will restore livelihoods, rebuild communities, and sustain the peace we have achieved,” Saulawa concluded.
The meeting was attended by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, the Programme Manager of the Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI), the Chief of Mission of IOM, members of the Katsina State Project Steering Committee, the Chief Judge of Katsina State, and members of the State Executive Council.
Also in attendance were Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Government Agencies, representatives of Federal Government MDAs, traditional rulers, including the Yandakan Katsina representing the Katsina Emirate, as well as representatives of IOM, CDD, and Mercy Corps.
