Abstract
Local initiatives in the dynamics of conflict and peace building are germane to understanding the actions and inactions of a people reacting towards their plights. This study adopts a qualitative methodology to investigate initiatives in local communities in the unending conflicts and peace building processes in Nigeria, using the Gokanaya, Onelga, and Eche communities in Rivers State as case studies. The major findings were that the roles and networks of key indigenous institutions such as the elders' council, ruling houses and 'mothers of the land', as well as traditional healers and witch doctors are vital in directing the affairs of the communities: their socio-political, economic, spiritual and religious activities. However, government and multinational corporations often sidelined them. With only technocrats and the educated elite involved in negotiating peace, key stakeholders were missing and conflicts in the region intensified. The study recommends that peace building initiatives should take a bottom-top approach and be devoid of politics.
Highlights
Introduction and background to the problemOil producing communities in Nigeria are faced with a myriad of problems
Democratic governance commenced in Nigeria in 1999, and the estimated number of deaths from violent conflict since is over 10,000 and over 300,000 internally displaced persons (Ikelegbe, 2005)
This study sees the discrepancies facing the manner in which community proposals are being handled as one of the causes of conflict, poverty and violence in the Niger Delta region, evident in Onelga, Gokanaya and Eche communities
Summary
Oil producing communities in Nigeria are faced with a myriad of problems They are underdeveloped, and relatively far from government presence and modern ways of life (Ikporukpo, 2004). Following the unhealthy negative practices by multinational oil companies, the social and environmental cost of crude oil production in the region have been catastrophic. They include the destruction of wildlife and biodiversity, loss of fertile soil, pollution of air and drinking water, degradation of farmlands and damage to aquatic ecosystems. There is a need to understand the cultural and spiritual dynamics of conflicts adopted by local institutions when seeking redress and resolving the myriad of problems facing oil producing communities through conflicts
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