ANALYSIS OF CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN YORRO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF TARABA STATE: THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS

Abstract

The study examined the role of community-based organizations in managing conflicts in Yorro local government area of Taraba State. The study intended to underscore the types and areas of focus of community-based organization, as well as ascertain the strategies and mechanisms used by community-based organizations in conflict management in the study area. Two specific objectives with corresponding research questions guided the study. The study adopted descriptive research design and proportionate sampling technique was used to select 41 participants from 136 target population for the study. A researcher-designed questionnaire, which yielded 0.86 reliability coefficient using Cronbach’s Alpha analysis and Split-Half method was used for data collection. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviations for answering the research questions. The findings revealed that CBOs used peace committees, community meetings, peace caravans and membership in peace groups to facilitate peace while the preferred method for solving conflict was arbitration by community elders. Also, the findings indicated that the areas of focus of CBOs include community physical infrastructure development, healthcare access, education and literacy enhancement, among others. The study further indicated the strategies and mechanisms employed by CBOs in managing conflicts in the study area as use of council of elders, intercultural marriages, and resource management agreements among others. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that, as far as Yorro local government area of Taraba State is concerned, there are numerous CBOs with focus on different aspects of lives of the community people. Also, several strategies and mechanism are employed by CBOs in addressing conflicts in the study area. In line with the findings, it was recommended that CBOs should be used to mitigate community-related conflicts in Taraba State; and that CBOs strategies and mechanisms used should be refined and incorporated into formal system for effective conflict management in Taraba State.