United Nations Country Team in Nigeria
United Nations Country Team in Nigeria
United Nations Country Team in Nigeria

Joint Programme on Taraba

Joint Programme on Taraba addresses the recurrence of ethnic/communal conflicts by fostering peace and reconciliation, human rights, protection of minority groups through the empowerment of male & female returnees & other communities. Agencies involved in the joint programme are UNHCR, UNIDO, FAO, UNIFEM, UNFPA, ILO, UNAIDS and WHO working on different aspects of the project based on their mandates and areas of expertise.
 
UNHCR withdrew since 2008 and the others - FAO, UNIDO, ILO and UNFPA continue activities under their respective mandates and within Taraba Economic and Development Strategy. Achievements from the Joint programme implementation in Taraba include
  • Improvement of public services (power, running water)
  • Youth skills acquisitions
  • Promotion of youth employment and tourism
  • Promotion of women empowerment
  • Micro-Finance project
  • Durable peace, trust and confidence
  • HIV/AIDS Strategic State Plan
  • UN credibility and good image
  • Foundation of durable small economic enterprises
  • Boosting/strengthening of livestock and crop production
  • FGN Support Package to UN initiative
  • FGN Technical Committee for sustainable livestock and crop production programme and
  • Integration of MDG funds
Key Lessons learnt in the implementation of the Taraba joint programme include the paramount importance of conflict resolution dimension, Right and Community based-Approach Programme, State and LGA ownership and the high expectations from UNCT by the community. Challenges faced in implementing the Taraba joint programme include restricted access to beneficiaries due to long distance, remote locations, bad road conditions and high expectation from UNCT reducing local communities participation/ownership.
 
Next Steps for the Taraba Joint Programme Installation of two turbines of 430 KW and 230 KW respectively expected by June 2009 Tunga SHP1 will produce 2,985,042.24 kWh/annum Tunga SHP 2 will produce 1,965,120.00 kWh/annum Generation of small agro processing units Expansion of tea plantation activities and more job opportunities Expansion of vocational training, skills acquisition and micro enterprises.