Set Up Structures To Make The Law Functional – Amaopusenibo Bobo Sofiri Brown, Opobo Senior Chief

I think it is a welcome development but it is still a “policy initiative” as yet. In my view, it requires a lot of structured institutional management support, to consolidate the new law. Failure to do so, could leave the policy as existing on paper only but totally stranded in real life.
First, appropriate efforts should be made to embed the new law in a functional and preventive phase in every part of the state.
The government should direct an appropriate agency to coordinate Civil Society and Community Based Organizations to be involved in a sustained campaign to achieve compliance.
Secondly, government must be seen to encourage an identified agency to engage Civil Society groups and Community Based Organizations as partners in a preemptive Awareness Campaign and monitoring work.
But the process must also dig into community procedures about traditional roles and duties that go with the inheritance of a deceased. Those who inherit should also be guided to meet the obligations of reasonable care of relations and dependents of the deceased, which tradition demands. In many communities this social safety net and cultural DNA of lineage groups as provided by Niger Delta custom, is now treated with contempt.
Thirdly, let more but adequate attention be given to highlight where the practice is dominant in the state.
Fourthly, resources are necessary to ensure that more information and process management structures are in such places.
Who should aggrieved parties turn to? Do the traditional institutions, churches and schools in each LGA know what is expected?
At what point can it be said an infringement of the law has occurred?
At what stage should alternative conflict resolution measures be deployed as part of the process?
Where is the data on past incidents to create a baseline for measuring progress of awareness and preventive measures?
Women groups and associations in Civil Society, Human Rights, Legal, media and business should be engaged on steady Awareness Campaign and quarterly public briefings.