I Am Battling Challenges I Inherited From Previous Administration – Gov Kefas

·        'I did Not Met  Even A Bottle Of Water'

·        Promises full infrastructure rollout from October, vows to complete abandoned projects

Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has declared that his administration is working tirelessly to overcome deep-rooted challenges inherited from previous governments, assuring citizens that despite the setbacks, he remains committed to building a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Taraba.

In an extensive media briefing in Jalingo, the governor painted a vivid picture of the realities he met on assumption of office, describing the state of affairs as "far from conducive." According to him, there was no operational structure in place to support governance when he was sworn in, stressing that, "I received no support structure, not even a bottle of water, on inauguration day."

Despite the difficult start, Governor Kefas maintained that he has chosen to focus on service rather than political battles. "I have no choice than to do it to the end. After that, the people can decide what they want," he said, reaffirming his commitment to leaving behind a legacy of tangible development.

The governor revealed that Taraba was operating without a development master plan when he assumed office. "Genuine development cannot take place without a roadmap or plan of action," he emphasized. His administration has since developed a comprehensive master plan to guide future infrastructural and economic growth.

He further pledged to complete abandoned projects left behind by previous governments, describing the backlog of incomplete projects as one of the most frustrating aspects of governance. "You can't build Rome in one day. Many of the uncompleted projects we met were inherited. We've been able to tidy up some of them," he explained. By taking on abandoned projects, the governor hopes to restore public confidence, ensure continuity of governance, and put an end to wasteful spending that had plagued the state for years.

Governor Kefas also used the opportunity to address growing criticisms of his administration. He alleged that some of his detractors were being sponsored by "illegal miners and witches" whose vested interests were threatened by his reforms. He argued that many of the negative narratives circulating about his government were either politically motivated or deliberately distorted. "I am not a magician and I know I am not perfect. But with my background, I know I can give the best," he stated firmly, urging Tarabans to see beyond propaganda and recognize the steady progress being made.

Education remains a flagship policy of the Kefas administration. The governor recalled that one of his earliest and boldest decisions was to declare free and compulsory education across all public schools in the state. He also launched the construction of 60 new schools to provide quality learning environments. "I made a commitment on education and took a bold step. By the time I finish building those schools, children will know that once upon a time, there was school," he declared. He lamented the lack of reliable data in the education sector, saying proper records are essential to reform. "When I came on board, the records were not straight. You can't plan for the future if you don't have the right data," he said.

Governor Kefas stressed that the Taraba civil service is in dire need of reform, describing it as one of the cornerstones of his administration. He condemned the longstanding practice of withholding workers' entitlements, insisting that it was both unjust and counterproductive. "Why should somebody work and not be paid?" he asked. He assured that his administration will continue to prioritize payment of salaries, pensions, and other benefits while streamlining the service for efficiency.

On security, the governor highlighted Taraba's unique challenges, pointing to the state's vast landmass and its borders with six Nigerian states and Cameroon. These factors, he said, complicate policing and surveillance, leaving the state vulnerable to cross-border crimes and insecurity. He, however, reassured citizens that his administration is investing heavily in security architecture, including technology-driven surveillance and closer collaboration with security agencies. "Securing Taraba will remain my major priority," he said.

Governor Kefas acknowledged that his government has faced criticism for the slow pace of infrastructure development but explained that the past two years were spent laying a solid foundation. "I don't want to start a project I can't complete and have people saying I ran with the money," he emphasized. He announced that full-scale infrastructure development will commence in October 2025, guided by the new master plan. Ahead of this rollout, he will embark on a listening tour of all local government areas to identify and prioritize projects based on local needs. "My administration's desire is to build projects that are of the people's choice. The tour is to listen to the locals and build projects of their preference," he said.

The governor further revealed that Taraba will begin supplying food to Lagos State next month, marking a significant step toward agricultural commercialization. Plans to establish manufacturing and processing industries have also been finalized, he added, stressing that these initiatives will create jobs and boost the state's economy.

Governor Kefas appealed to journalists for factual and balanced reporting, warning against sensational narratives that could derail progress. "I have heard the criticism of my government on infrastructure. I wish to inform Tarabans that full infrastructural development will commence next month. Within the last two years, I was laying the foundation to build a safe and sustainable Taraba that would attract economic opportunities for the citizens for years to come," he explained. He urged citizens to partner with his administration through constructive engagement. "If you see things and bring them out, we will work on them. Let's be fair to each other and be partners in progress."

Governor Kefas, stating that his administration's free education policy, civil service reforms, security investments, and soon-to-launch infrastructure projects are part of a long-term strategy to transform Taraba into a modern, peaceful, and globally competitive state. "By next month, we will start supplying the Lagos State Government with food, while plans to start building manufacturing and processing industries have been concluded. My administration's free education policy and the strive for sustained security of the citizens are strategies to build a Taraba that will soon be ranked highly on the global stage in both infrastructural development and the economy," he assured.