Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere has advised leaders at various levels in the society to embrace dialogue with sincerity of heart rather than adopting fiendish acts in settling minor disputes.
Prince Madumere made this remark yesterday while fielding questions at Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri from newsmen on disputes as one of the major factors militating against development in the Niger Delta region.
While agreeing that disputes and conflicts in whatever guise can hamper development, he however singled Imo State out as a State where there is peace and tranquility due to government’s integrity in dispensing them without having to take sides. He also attributed Imo success to the sincerity and integrity of government agents who are ready to call a spade by its name no matter whose ox is gored.
He said disputes and conflicts are almost a sine-qua-non in relationships among the people since there must be gray areas where disagreement must occur. He therefore called on people not to see disputes as an end in itself but a means to an end. “It is not dispute or misunderstanding that matters but how it is resolved is what can bring a lasting peace or deepened crises. I am sure you are all aware of how many Ezeship tussles of many years and community skirmishes our government have handled through democratic means in the last dispensation.
The number two citizen attributed Imo government successes in management of disputes to Rescue Mission government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha consideration of peace and conflict resolution as a primary role before other issues, which is to reconcile the people of Imo State and make them live and work in peace and harmony. This could explain the reason for appointing Adviser on Peace and Conflict resolution.
He also warned against pervasion of justice by some leaders who rather than seek a lasting peace in their communities tend to take sides where there is little friction among the people or between communities. He said only a sincere approach towards dialogue can end and dispute.
He described Imo Government huge success in reconciling communities and kindred over seeming irretrievable disputes that have existed for decades. He described such as one of the major achievements of the government.
He used the opportunity to call on people to refrain from taking laws into their hands by engaging in violent acts, which he said will always bring about pains and losses. He preferred seeking other non-violent means through mediation, negotiation, arbitration or litigation in the worse scenario.
He however pointed out that why most people saddled with what he described as noble role of seeking an end to conflicts fail is because of integrity, bias and partisanship question.