ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGs) ON POVERTY REDUCTION IN WUKARI AND IBI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF TARABA STATE

Abstract

Poverty in Nigeria has been a serious challenge and a contentious issue to the government, it affects the general population of the country. The problem is so endemic to the extent that Nigeria became one of the poorest nation in the world despite the implementation of several poverty reduction programs by the government to address the issue and improve life of the populace. The poverty reduction programs in Nigeria, which aimed at reducing poverty, have not been successful. Therefore, the study assesses the Effect of the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals on poverty reduction in Wukari and Ibi LGAs Areas of Taraba State (2007-2013). The major objective of the study is to assess the contribution of Millennium Development Goal I on poverty reduction. The data for this study is generated through the secondary sources of data collection from journals, textbooks, materials from the internet. The study reveal that poverty cannot be totally stem out, but can be reduce with genuine effort of the stakeholders. The finding of the study indicate that, insufficient funding, crises, corruption, and mismanagement of funds, political instability and a discontinuity in planned programs are the major challenges of MDGs. The study recommends that government should try by all means to create conducive atmospheres that will reduce conflict and social crisis, mismanagement of funds, there should be transparency by the government and the coordinator of MDGs and other poverty reduction programs. The government should ensure adequate political stability and adequate coordination of efforts by parties that contributed to poverty reduction programs.