By Taye Obateru & Grateful Dakat

The search for restoration of peace in Plateau State has received a boost with the conclusion of a research by a civil rights group on the way out of the protracted crisis.

At the public presentation of the findings of the research conducted under a project entitled Community Driven Peace Building by Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP) in collaboration with the Directorate of Research and Planning, governor’s Office, sustained dialogue was identified as key to peace.

The findings noted that the various ethnic, political and religious groups must engage in constant dialogue to foster peaceful coexistence.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Gyang Pwajok commended the initiative which he described as a significant contribution to the search for peace in the state.

Represented by the state Commissioner for Women Affairs Mrs. Olivia Daziem, he said “traditional rulers and communities must rise to the challenge as peace building is not only the duty of government. We must learn to live and work together to make the state a better place for all.”

Deputy Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Johnbull Shekarau in a keynote address stressed the importance of justice in handling issues relating to the crisis adding, “there can be no peace without justice.”

He described justice as a lubricant of peace hence perpetrators of violence should be made to face the music in accordance with the laws of the land.

Earlier in a welcome address, CAPP President, Mr. Yakubu Aliyu thanked the Plateau State Government for providing an enabling environment for the project which he said is geared towards finding a solution to the crisis in the state through dialogue at the grassroots.