NIGERIA: ADDITIONAL PROJECT FOR EMBASSY SMALL

UNCLAS LAGOS 001128

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR CA/VO/F/PINL/G/TIP SALLY NEUMANN;
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/RSA ROBERT ZUEHLKE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ELAB KCRM KWMN PGOV PHUM PREL SMIG NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: ADDITIONAL PROJECT FOR EMBASSY SMALL
PROJECT FUNDS FOR ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS EFFORTS

REF: STATE 8083


1. This is an action request. See para 5.


2. After supplying project descriptions to the Senior
Policy Operating Group (SPOG) per reftel, Mission's
Small Project Funds Committee received a proposal from
an NGO in Edo State. Because Edo State is widely
considered the country's highest volume trafficking
source and the proposal is action oriented, the
committee agreed that funding was warranted and would
have a positive impact on anti-trafficking efforts in
Nigeria. This proposal fits within the allotted
$18,000 total budget and so will not have an impact on
the three proposals already submitted to the SPOG.


3. Per reftel, Mission offers the following information
on the new project:

PROJECT TITLE: Training Programs and Legal Publications
to Promote Awareness and Prevention of Human
Trafficking in Edo State

AMOUNT: $5,000

PARAGRAPH DESCRIPTION: The Network for Justice and
Democracy in Edo state will publish and disseminate an
already written text on the scope of the trafficking
problem and relevant Nigerian law. The NGO will also
offer a series of seminars, provide a hot-line service
for victims, and distribute awareness brochures,
stickers, and other publicity materials in a high-risk
Benin City area, considered "ground zero" for human
trafficking in Nigeria. The project will also include
production of radio and television announcements to
encourage anti-trafficking efforts in the community
over a seven-month period.


4. The three other projects submitted for approval to
the SPOG have the following, revised funding totals:

A) Royal Pearls Foundation in Akwa Ibom state: $5,000

B) Community Partners for Development/Centre for Law
Enforcement Education in Akwa Ibom state: $4,000

C) International Press Center in Lagos: $4,000

The total for all four proposals will therefore fit
within the $18,000 total allotment for these grants.


5. Action Request. Post requests that the SPOG review
the proposal from Edo State and add it to the list of
accepted projects for Nigeria's Embassy Small Project
Funds for Anti-Trafficking in Persons efforts.

HOWE