By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos—Ahead of the 2015 general elections, the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP and Operation Rainbow have organised a 10- day training on peace and security for security agencies, civil society organizations and the media in Plateau State.

The training which was in collaboration with the Justice, Development and Peace Commission, JDPC commenced yesterday and drew participants from the 17 local government areas of the state.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the state Resident Representative, UNDP, Mr. Daouda Toure asked every stakeholder to intensify efforts that would solidify the level of peace being experienced in the state currently.

According to him, “Whatever development we have put in place in the past years could be destroyed in a second. We need to ensure effective partnership in conflict management. Our votes and consciences should be utilized through free, fair and credible elections.”

Toure decried the proliferation of small arms not only in the state but the country as whole as well settlements based on ethnic and religious lines and called for urgent actions to address the issue.