Elders and Traditional Chiefs from the eight local government councils of Bayelsa State have written to President Muhammadu Buhari over the noticeable delay in the signing into law of the Bill establishing the National Peace Corps, saying the signing of the bill into law will reduce rising tension and conflict around the country.

The Traditional Chiefs, under the aegis of the Rural Chiefs Peace Development Initiatives (Association of Rural Chiefs) and led by the National Coordinator, Chief Nengi James-Eriworio, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly sign the Peace Corps Bill into law so as to violent crimes and unemployment in the country.

Chief Nengi James-Eriworio, who is also the Bayelsa Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) and ‎the Kesiyemiewei (He who stand for Justice) title holder from Bomo Clan in Southern Ijaw Local Council area, said the call from the Bayelsa Elders was timely as they participated in the various public hearing at the National Assembly.

Speaking with news men in Yenagoa on Monday, Chief Alabo Nengi James-Eriworio, said “the ‎quick assent to the Bill will reduce crime and criminality, help reduce unemployment and assist in increasing the rating of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration as a listening administration. Past administrations did it with various Bills passed into law for the establishment of various paramilitary Corps including the DSS, the NYSC, the FRSC and many more. They are doing well and absorbing idle youths.”

“The signing of the bill into law will confirm to Nigerians that PMB is not anti-Youths and would support such venture as the Peace Corps to encourage eradication of unemployment and promote the spirit of ‎patriotism among youths.”

‎”The Bill, if signed, will promote peace and increase more security in the 36 states of the Federation. We expect in 2018 for the Federal Government to set aside a budgetary provision for the take off of the Peace Corps.”

•Text courtesy of Blueprint.

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