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Angry Residents Warn Governor Ishaku Against ‘Greedy Decisions’

Many residents of Taraba state have kicked against plans by Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku to allegedly spend about 2bn for purchase of vehicles for himself after leaving office, warning the governor not to be pushed into making last minutes decision many will consider as greedy. 


PREMIUM TIMES had reports that the Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, has approved N2 billion for the purchase of luxury vehicles for himself, his deputy and their wives.


A source, who asked not to be named for fear of being victimised, said the approval was made during the last State Executive Council (SEC) meeting chaired by Mr Ishaku, PREMIUM TIMES report.


"Governor Darius Ishaku in our last SEC meeting asked the council to approve a memo he presented for the purchase of vehicles for himself, his deputy and their wives and it was speedily approved without any argument," the source said.


The source said it was argued at the meeting that since Mr Darius and his deputy assumed office in 2015, they had been using old vehicles inherited from their predecessors and that they therefore deserve new vehicles as they prepare to step down.


Our source disclosed that going by the memo presented by the governor, Mr Darius and his wife will get over N1.3 billion worth of exotic cars while his deputy and his wife will receive cars worth N750 million.

 

Our source further explained that by the proposal, the governor will get two Toyota Land Cruiser SUV, two escort Toyota Hilux and a utility vehicle while his wife will get a Land Cruiser SUV and an escort vehicle.


 However several residents who spoke to Taraba Truth and Fact newspaper described the move as insensitive to the plights of Tarabans who had endure hardship under the Ishaku administration.


Mr William Bako, advised Governor Ishaku to rescind his approval on the project, saying the state needs such fund for better developmental activities.  


"We are in a serious economic crisis as a state, the debt profile of the state is huge, salaries and pension are not paid, yet the Governor approved two billion for purchase of car for himself after leaving office."


It greediness of our leaders that is our challenge as a country, particularly Taraba State, with the current situation of things its greedy and self-centeredness  that made the Governor approved such proposal it's not in the interest of the people"


On his part, a chieftain of the Action Alliance Kabiru Usman said Tarabans are not happy with the performance of Governor Ishaku in the last eight years.


"The people of Taraba would not be happy if the Governor uses two billion to buy car for himself, how many schools, hospitals, inner roads will these billions repair in Taraba state, just imagine how much impact the two billion will kame in Taraba state university, leadership is about the people; is the Governor saying he will be trekking with legs if the state government does not provide him cars after leaving office?


"The Governor should have been statesman enough to reject the proposal in the first place and advised that the money be invested in what people can see, the money could be used to complete some abandoned projects in the state, for instance the General Hospital in Lissam, Ussa Local Government, its shameful our leaders are not considerate of the masses when taking decisions because of selfish gains."


Pastor Ayuba Saleh advised the State House of Assembly not to approve the project and ensure that such money is not released from the state, the governor should leave such decision to the next administration 


"Governor Ishaku does not deserve any gift from the people of Taraba, he should not gift himself vehicles in the name of the state, the next administration must collect them back from him."     

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