Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu Launches Six-Month Peace Project for South-East

In a bid to foster peace in the South-East region, the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P), an initiative spearheaded by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has unveiled a comprehensive six-month action plan. The project, unveiled on December 29, 2023, focuses on addressing security challenges in the South-East through non-kinetic means.

The PISE-P’s ambitious plan revolves around eight key pillars: education, agriculture, commerce/industry, infrastructural development, culture and tourism, sports/entertainment, governance/leadership, and reconciliation/rehabilitation/reintegration.

Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu, shared in a statement on Sunday that the six-month strategic plan aims to enhance education, healthcare delivery, and other developmental pursuits. Kalu emphasized the importance of addressing socio-economic challenges, promoting security and peacebuilding, stakeholder engagement, strategic implementation, resource management, monitoring and evaluation, and communication and awareness.

“We are looking at achieving and promoting Sustainable Development Goals, conflict integration, and peacebuilding,” stated Kalu. The plan also encompasses initiatives such as job creation, income level improvement, business development, and advocacy to bring businesses back to the South-East.

Kalu disclosed plans for a town hall meeting in April 2024, bringing together lawmakers from Abia, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, and Enugu states. The meeting aims to deliberate on strategic lawmaking, conflict resolution, and other pertinent issues.

Furthermore, Kalu appealed to armed individuals in hiding to surrender their weapons to security agencies for the region to experience full restoration of peace. He assured those with weapons that they would be provided with employment opportunities and encouraged them to embrace a sense of importance within society.

The Deputy Speaker’s holistic approach through PISE-P demonstrates a commitment to fostering lasting peace, development, and unity in the South-East region.