PMDC launches 5-day ADR awareness campaign in Jos 

By Ezekiel Dontinna 

    The Plateau Multi-Door Courthouse (PMDC), an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) awareness campaign, has been launched starting from Monday October 21 to Friday October 25, 2024 to educate citizens on the significance of conflict mediation.

    The campaign led by the PMDC Chairman, Hon. Justice Chrysantus Senlong, Rtd, started its day one awareness at the Secretariat junction Fly Over Jos, the State capital with press briefing.

   Delivering his welcome address, the PMDC Chairman noted that the the Multi-Door Courthouse was initiated for quick, effective and affordable resolution of disputes through the ADR.

   He said, “most times when people are through from the Court, they are more or less like enemies for life, but in ADR system, we ensure that the parties are in control of their disputes.

    “They are in control of the processes of settling their disputes and we provide a very friendly and amicable atmosphere for the parties to put up their case and at the end of the day, parties go home satisfied that their cases have been resolved”, Justice Senlong highlighted.

     On his part, the Chief Judge of Plateau State, Hon. Justice David Mann, represented by Hon. Justice Nafisa Lawal, disclosed that the establishment of PMDC would help reduce the workload of Judges henceforth.

      “It is going to be easy, cheaper and less time consuming to have matters resolved. As you embark on this week long awareness campaign, we hope that this message will reach every nook and cranny of our communities”, he wished.

     Also, the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barr. Philemon Daffi, commended the initiative and promised to do everything possible to support the course of Justice and whatever would enhance justice system in the State.

     According to the Chairman, Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), she said, the development would further ease their work and advised parties to always seek other alternative ways of resolving through ADR than hanging on long term solutions.

     The Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Jos Branch, Barr. Leah Dagung Hassan, described this development as apt saying, “I seem to prefer mediation rather than litigation. In fact, I feel it is a win-win situation because it brings more of peace to the community”.

      Plateau State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ayuku Pwaspo, commended Counsels for initiating the Multi-Door Courthouse and pledged NUJ’s support towards achieving this goal in settling disputes between parties.

       Meanwhile, Mrs Nene Dung, of Plateau State Gender Equality Commission, has suggested that the religious leaders should be involved in the awareness campaign so that, they would be able to solve problems within their respective faiths.

      There were awareness presentations by Prince Charles Dickson, PhD, FIDA Representative and the Market Association representative, Chief Simon Tangni respectively, as there were also questions and answers sessions.