Governor Kefas and His Government House Expansion Project

Have you been to the TY Danjuma House Taraba's seat of power located in a quiet corner of Jalingo, the state capital? I have. It is a symbolic facility bequeathed to the state by past military administrations a glorified public building that falls far below the prestige and standards of what a modern government house in the 21st century should represent.

 

Outdated and antique in appearance, the complex resembles a cluster of colonial-era buildings, more fitting for a forgotten neighborhood than for the administrative headquarters of a state. That was the state of things until the emergence of Governor Agbu Kefas, who embarked on an aggressive remodeling project to give the government house a much-needed facelift and bring it up to par with similar institutions across the country.

 

Surrounding the TY Danjuma House are several residential properties belonging to politicians and public servants who, at one time or the other, held public office. Many of them took advantage of their positions to legally acquire land around the government house, and in some cases, such acquisitions were reportedly done through unofficial means.

 

Earlier this year, the first phase of the remodeling initiative was commissioned, and the facility was renamed TY Danjuma House — a fitting tribute to General TY Danjuma, a civil war hero and one of Taraba's most illustrious sons.

 

Now, the government has seen the need to expand the seat of power rather than relocate it to an obscure  part of the city. This idea is both practical and visionary, reflecting Governor Kefas' sense of purpose. As part of this plan, a 13-man committee was constituted to oversee the acquisition of surrounding properties for the expansion. The committee is chaired by former Governor Jolly Nyame, a respected statesman who played a pivotal role in laying the foundational blocks of the state.

 

To me, appointing Jolly Nyame to lead such a high-level panel is both historic and strategic. Many of the individuals who own property in the area either worked with him during his tenure or hold him in high esteem. His leadership of the committee is likely to facilitate cooperation and ease the negotiation process.

 

Some critics have raised concerns over the non-inclusion of a lawyer or surveyor on the committee. However, this is a misplaced worry. The committee secretariat, headed by Dr. Hamidu Kara, the current Head of Service, is well-positioned to handle those technical requirements. With a simple administrative directive, the necessary professionals from the Ministries of Justice and Lands can be seconded to provide legal and technical expertise. There is no cause for alarm.

 

Governor Kefas deserves commendation for his magnanimity and sense of fairness. Rather than invoking the full weight of the Land Use Act of 1978 which vests all land in the state in the hands of the governor and permits revocation for public interest he chose a more humane and consultative approach. Under the Act, he could have summarily revoked the titles of the surrounding properties and paid only state-determined compensation by citing "overriding public interest."

 

Instead, he chose dialogue and negotiation a model of governance that respects citizens' rights while still pursuing development.

 

To the residents of the area, I say: brace up. Change is inevitable. Growth and development must come, no matter how long it takes. Taraba must move forward, and it will, with or without individual sentiments.

 

 

Gaddafi, a writer contributed this piece from Abuja. He can be reached at 09064654077 (Whatsapp only)