“TARABA STATE VISION 2050”

Taraba State’s vision towards 2050 likely centers on sustainable development, economic diversification, and improving the quality of life for its citizens. While an official, comprehensive document detailing “Taraba State Vision 2050” might not be publicly available in a single, consolidated form, I can infer key areas based on general development goals for Nigerian states and the specific characteristics of Taraba. For the above vision to be realised, there must be the legal framework by the State Assembly. The State lawmakers must create a legal framework that will embed the vision and make it mandatory for any Governor that will take over government shall continue from where his predecessor stopped, by 2050 another vision will be drafted for another 50 years.
Here’s a potential breakdown of a vision for Taraba State by 2050:
Overarching Vision: To transform Taraba State into a prosperous, peaceful, and self-sufficient hub in North-East Nigeria, driven by innovation, agricultural excellence, and responsible resource management, offering a high quality of life and opportunities for all its people.

Key Pillars of the Vision:
Economic Diversification and Industrialization:
Agricultural Transformation: Moving beyond subsistence farming to large-scale, mechanized, and value-added agriculture. This would involve significant investment in irrigation, modern farming techniques, improved seed varieties, and agro-processing industries (e.g., rice mills, fruit juice factories, meat processing). Taraba’s fertile land and diverse climate make this a primary focus.
Solid Minerals Development: Tapping into the state’s rich deposits of solid minerals (like barytes, lead, zinc, uranium and tantalite etc) through responsible mining practices that benefit the local economy and create jobs, avoiding environmental degradation.

Tourism Development: Leveraging its natural beauty, including the Gashaka Gumti National Park, Mambilla Plateau, and numerous waterfalls, to create a thriving eco-tourism and adventure tourism industry. This would require infrastructure development (roads, accommodation) and promotional efforts.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Fostering an environment conducive to the growth of SMEs through access to finance, training, and business development services, creating a vibrant local economy.

Infrastructure Development:
Road Networks: Developing an extensive and well-maintained network of roads connecting rural areas to urban centers and neighboring states, facilitating trade and movement.

Power Supply: Ensuring reliable and adequate electricity supply across the state, potentially through a mix of hydro (Mambilla Power Project completion and Kashimbila dam), solar, and other renewable energy sources, to power homes and industries.

Water Resources: Investing in water supply schemes for both urban and rural areas, as well as irrigation projects for agriculture.

Digital Connectivity: Expanding broadband internet access and digital infrastructure to support a knowledge-based economy, e-governance, and e-learning.

Human Capital Development:
Education: Achieving universal access to quality basic education, improving secondary and tertiary education standards, and promoting vocational and technical skills training relevant to the state’s economic needs.
Healthcare: Ensuring access to affordable and quality healthcare services for all, with well-equipped primary health centers, general hospitals, and specialized medical facilities. This includes addressing maternal and child health, and communicable diseases.
Youth Engagement: Creating opportunities for youth employment, entrepreneurship, and participation in governance and community development.

Gender Equality: Promoting women’s empowerment and ensuring their full participation in economic, social, and political life.

Environmental Sustainability and Climate Resilience:
Sustainable Land Use: Implementing policies to prevent deforestation, promote afforestation, and combat desertification, especially in the northern parts of the state.

Waste Management: Developing efficient waste collection, recycling, and disposal systems in urban centers.

Climate Change Adaptation: Building resilience against the impacts of climate change, particularly as it affects agriculture and water resources.

Peace, Security, and Good Governance:
Security: Ensuring a secure environment free from communal clashes, banditry, and other forms of insecurity, fostering peace and social cohesion among diverse ethnic and religious groups.
Good Governance: Strengthening institutions, promoting transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, and ensuring citizen participation in governance.

Justice System: Improving access to justice and ensuring fair and efficient judicial processes.
By 2050, Taraba State could envision itself as a leading agricultural producer in Nigeria, a significant contributor to the national power grid (with the Mambilla and Kashimbila project fully operational), and a sought-after destination for eco-tourism. Its people would be well-educated, healthy, and enjoy a high standard of living in a peaceful and well-governed society.

Prepared by Hon. Hosea Daniel TMP SLA Media to Rt. Hon. A. M. Lauya.