Taraba is referred to as the Nature’s Gift to the Nation because of the abundant natural resources it is endowed with. The agrarian nature and rich alluvial soil found in most parts of the state make Taraba conducive for cultivation of crops such as yam, cassava, potato, cocoyam, rice, maize, coffee, tea and
cocoa to mention just a few.
The state also has vast green grassland that supports animal production such as cattle, sheep and goats. The availability of various rivers/ponds holds great potential for the development of aquatic species. It is incontestable that Taraba is the only state in Nigeria that is blessed with two types of climates; the temperate climate on the Mambilla Plateau and the tropical rainforest climate in Kurmi, Gashaka, Takum and Ussa local government areas of the state. The state is so endowed by nature that virtually all the 16 local government areas of the state have one unique natural endowment or the other. Taraba State has forty-nine (49) forest reserves, ninety-eight (98) plantations and three major game reserves including the famous Gashaka/ Gumti National Park. From the south, the Nwonyo International Fishing Festival in Ibi local government is one of the biggest fishing festivals in Nigeria and the African continent, little wonder that MTN Nigeria has been supporting the festival over the years.
The Nwonyo Fishing Festival, National Mirror gathered, started as far back as 1914 and has been taking place periodically. It remained a relatively local affair and did not attract national attention until some few years back. The Nwonyo Lake is adjudged by many to be the biggest natural lake in Nigeria and it has enormous potential that meets international standard. In 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010, the fishing festival recorded the biggest catches in the history of fishing in Nigeria. The 2010 edition of the festival broke a record with a catch of a fish which weighed 318kg. Though the Nwonyo Fishing Festival in Ibi has not taken place for sometime now, it used to hold in April of every year, where activities such as canoe racing, swimming competitions and cultural dances among others do take place. In the central zone, the famous Mambilla Plateau, home of tourism and natural wonders in Sarduana local government holds potential for Nigeria’s economic diversification.
The story of Mambilla Plateau is simply awesome. Taraba is indeed unique in many ways. For instance, the Gashaka/Gumti National Park in Gashaka local government, the natural forests in Kurmi and some waterfalls scattered across the state in addition to countless mineral deposits available in Taraba have indeed made the state indeed a Nature’s Gift to the Nation. Official records have shown that Gashaka/ Gumti National Park is the largest, most scenic and biologically diverse conservation enclave in the world. It is one of the seven national parks in the country and one of Africa’s best kept conservation secrets. A tour of Gashaka-Gumti National Park, the biggest of its kind in Africa is a life time experience that many would not want to miss.
The Park located in a remote mountainous region of Northeastern Nigeria at a border of Adamawa and Taraba states. It is situated in the Sub-Sahara Guinea Savannah Zone of Africa, in the sub-tropical zone of the Southeastern highlands of the Savannah area of Nigeria south of the Benue River. With a land mass of 6,731 square kilometres of undulating terrain and rolling valleys, the park shares boundary with the Faro Park in Cameroon and the famous Mambila Plateau from the South. The Park has various species of rare wildlife, including buffaloes, elephants, hyenas, tigers, hippopotamus, antelopes, baboons, birds, reptiles and many others. It has enormous attractions for adventure and recreation, aside being a hot spot for ecotourism and ecological researches. Commissioner for Environment in Taraba State, Mrs. Rebecca Seember Manasseh, summed up the description of the Gashaka/ Gumti National Park and the Mambilla Plateau which lies adjacent each other as an area encompassing a Savannah, Forests, Wetlands and Montane
Habitats in a continuous ecological transition. These according to her, have made Taraba a tourist destination hub in West Africa. Indeed, nature has been so good to Taraba and the federal and state governments by nature in a way, but lack of adequate attention and funding have over the years affected the harnessing of these natural gifts to the benefit of all Nigerians. It could be recalled that the federal government declared the Mambilla Plateau in Sardauna Local Government Area of the state as venue for the annual World Tourism Day celebration because of its natural and beautiful weather.
Though well blessed, the state of nature has not been fully matched by commensuarate investment, but the present administration in the state has taken steps to turn around the situation and woo investors into the state. Already, commercial flight operation has commenced at the Jalingo Airport which has eased access to Taraba by air. The state government is currently constructing the road from Bali through Gashaka to Gembu for easy access to the nature’s treasure on the Mambilla Plateau. Governor Darius Ishaku has identified agricultural production and processing, coffee and tea production, tourism and solid minerals exploration among others as key areas of investment and has been working towards bringing investors into the state. He has acquired modern tea processing machines for the Mambilla Tea, makers of Highland Tea, which is said to be the best in West Africa. He has commissioned Tunga power project which is now supplying steady light to the Kakara tea factory and its environs. The Mambilla Hydro Power project and the Kashimbilla Multipurpose Dam have also presented huge investment opportunities for investors. Indeed investment in Taraba by individuals and corporate bodies will not only create jobs, but would boost the state and the nation’s economy.
Good enough, Mr. President and his team have been singing diversification of the nation’s economy to deviate from over dependence on oil. Governor Ishaku on his part has plan to transform Taraba into one of the top two leading vibrant economies in the Northeast by 2025 and the potential of Taraba if properly harnessed can make these possible.
Analysts say with political will and genuine application of Public Private Partnership (PPP) model of economic development, Taraba alone can contribute more than 30 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
BY JUSTIN TYOPUUSU
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