NIGERIA: DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR PILOT ENGAGEMENT

UNCLAS LAGOS 000120 STATE FOR AF/W, AF/EX AND INR/AA STATE PASS TO USTR-AGAMA GABARONE FOR PHIL DROUIN BAGHDAD FOR DUNDAS MCCULLOUGH TREASURY FOR PETERS AND HALL DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS AND 3130/USFC/OIO/ANESA/DHARRIS USAID/AFR/WA FOR TWAY, USAID/AFR/SD JHILL, AND UNSAID/EGAT MOTT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ECON EAID NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR PILOT ENGAGEMENT WITH BAYLESA STATE ¶1. (U) Summary: Three sites which had been identified as potential projects suitable for the Ambassador's Pilot Engagement with Bayelsa State were visited by Pol-Econ Chief, PolOff, and Office of Security Cooperation (OSC) Representatives on February 4 and 5. OSC representatives conducted surveys and spoke with communities about the prospective projects to assess their suitability for the Ambassador's pilot program. End Summary. Rural Handicraft Center, Gbarantoru -------------- ¶2. (U) On February 4, Pol-Econ Chief, PolOff and two representatives of OSC (U.S. team) visited in Gbarantoru community a project described by Bayelsa State officials as a Rural Handicraft Center in need of rehabilitation. In fact, only a few concrete walls from a previous center built in the early 1980s were remaining. The center had been out of use and decaying since the late 1980s. The community, however, appeared very keen to re-launch the center to enable the women of the community to practice traditional handicrafts such as basket weaving and the production of traditional fishing gear on a commercial scale. The women of the community were present in large numbers to welcome the visitors from the United States and had brought examples of the kind of crafts they hope to produce in the center. Spokesmen for the community stressed that the center would give the women sources of income and increase their status and independence. Notably, PolOffs were told by community spokespersons that the waters in which the community fished were not polluted and the fishing was still good, making the sale of these handicrafts to locals a viable business venture. A representative of the Bayelsa government stressed that Bayelsa state is very interested in diversifying the economy away from oil and gas and would like to see fishing become more important again, something which this craft center would indirectly support. State Skills Acquisition Center, Yenagoa -------------- ¶3. (U) Following the visit to Gbarantoru, the U.S. team continued to the Skills Acquisition Center in Yenagoa. This is a fully functioning facility which trains 200 youths per year, approximately 50 of whom are women, in the skills of masonry, auto mechanics, refrigeration, welding, carpentry, hair dressing and sewing. The skills center wanted to teach computer skills as well, but found it impossible to finance and maintain the computers. The students are selected from on average 1,000 applications (i.e. five per position) per year, and selection is based on qualifications as well as the applicants, geographic place of origin. The Skills Acquisition Center's facilities were cramped and crowded, while the available equipment was minimal and old. (Comment: With more space, and particularly with more and better equipment, the skills training could be expanded and improved substantially. End Comment.) ¶4. (U) Asked by PolOff about job placement, the director of the school admitted that the Skills Acquisition Center itself has no job placement program and that most graduates have difficulty finding work even after successful completion of the training. In 2000, the Center experimented with "entrepreneurial training" and provided micro-credits and start-up tools to 13 graduates to enable them to set up their own businesses. Although ten of the recipients took the money and tools, they failed to develop successful businesses. Three of the recipients, however, are still in business and doing well, according to the director of the Skills Acquisition Center. Sanitation Project in Ugbokodo Community -------------- ¶4. (U) On February 5, the U.S. team visited Ugbokodo Community, which was the site of a completed sanitation project funded by the Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund (SSH). The project entailed a well and a toilet facility providing two men,s' and two women's toilets near the site of the weekly market. The facility was clean and well maintained. However, spokesmen for the community told the U.S. visitors that at present the cleaning is done by volunteers and that money is needed to compensate the cleaners on a regular basis. Furthermore, the facilities were located at the very end of the village beyond a market and were locked when the U.S. team arrived, suggesting that they are not always accessible. The community spokesman also told PolOffs that the community numbers between 7,000 and 8,000 inhabitants, highlighting that the single unit is inadequate. ¶5. (U) Comment: The site visits were the first step toward OSC projects commencing in a Niger Delta State. Post will attempt to create synergies by working with communities that have already shown initiative by sponsoring a successful SSH project. End Comment. ¶6. (U) This cable has been cleared with Embassy Abuja. BLAIR