Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment of Development Projects on Peace Dynamics in Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta State, Nigeria.

Abstract

 Development projects in conflict areas are carried out with the expectation that they will help reduce or mitigate conflict. However, studies have shown that development projects may exacerbate existing conflict or trigger new ones. Most studies on development interventions in the Niger Delta region have extensively focused on underperformance due to top-bottom approach, underfunding, corruption and environmental issues but have scanty data on peacebuilding outcomes using peace and conflict impact assessment (PCIA) framework. This paper, therefore, applied PCIA lens in examining the positive impact of development projects executed in Gbaramatu Kingdom by Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC). Utilizing the theory of change and positive threshold determinant in peace and conflict impact assessment, the paper distinguishes between conventional development activity and development as peacebuilding initiative through the identification of appropriate indicators on the peace dynamics in Gbaramatu Kingdom.The paper concludes that there is significant correlation between the waning infrastructural deficit in Gbaramatu Kingdom and the positive peace dynamics due to DESOPADEC’s development intervention deployed to address the root causes of violent confrontation with the state and multinational oil corporation. Therefore, what is required is more of development projects.