Taraba State in North East region is facing rising farmer–herdsmen tensions.
By JOHN MKOM, Jalingo –
Taraba State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project conducted a capacity building workshop on Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on Wednesday at the Star Exclusive Hotel in Jalingo.
The event included training on the GRM app and community sensitization to enhance effective project implementation across the state.
In his opening remarks, Taraba ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Dr. Clement Giwa, emphasized that the workshop aimed to equip participants with essential skills for grievance management and peacebuilding.
He highlighted the critical role of these skills in ensuring the successful execution of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) activities.
“Addressing GRM issues effectively is vital for ACReSAL to fulfill its mandate in a peaceful environment, leaving lasting achievements,” Giwa stated.
He urged participants to fully engage with the training, noting that tools would be distributed to support practical application of the lessons learned.
A gender-based consultant and facilitator from Maybeach Tech, Dr. Mary Bishop, delivered a presentation underscoring the importance of training GRM officers, committee members, and other ACReSAL stakeholders.
She explained that grievances are common in communities, making it essential for GRM actors to be well-equipped to resolve conflicts efficiently.
Dr. Bishop also addressed GBV, describing it as a recurring challenge that requires timely intervention and support for survivors.
In an interview, Dr. Bishop expressed her hope that the training would lead to swift grievance resolution, boosting community confidence in the ACReSAL project. She encouraged other projects to adopt ACReSAL’s community-driven approach to ensure sustainability and empower communities to resolve issues independently using best practices.
Participants, drawn from all 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Taraba State, included key community stakeholders committed to advancing the project’s objectives.
