Youth Leaders Tackle Danji SS, Call Him ‘Pedestrian Economist’

 

The Zonal Youth Leader of The People's Democratic Party PDP, North East, Zonal Youth Leader, Taraba state PDP Youth leader, Hon. Ado Zaki, and the Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), and Chairman Taraba State Youth Development Agency Hon. Gara Nongha, said governor Agbu Kefas was not borrowing to consume but to build a Taraba of the citizens dream.

 

The youths described the recent open letter by Hon. Danjuma Usman Shiddi  Danji SS over Taraba state debt profile as misleading.

 

Shiddi, a former member of the House Representatives for Wukari/ Ibbi federal constituency, had raised concerns over Taraba state's debt profile under Governor Agbu Kefas.

 

The former lawmaker alleged that the available record has shown that the state debt profile within two years was 1.2 trillion naira, with no project to defend the spending.

 

Meanwhile, the youths in a press statement said the ex-legislator's claims were inaccurate, emotional and misleading.

 

According to the youths, Governor Agbu Kefas is committed to transforming Taraba, and the loans secured were legitimately spent for the purpose intended.

 

 

They called on the former lawmaker to always verify facts before staging a criticism on a leader who is focused and committed to the development of the people.

 

"Our attention has been drawn to the recent open letter by Hon. Danjuma Usman Shiddi, which is regrettably laden with financial inaccuracies and emotional rhetoric about alleged reckless borrowing and mismanagement under the administration of His Excellency, Dr Agbu Kefas.

 

"Ordinarily, we would have ignored such political distractions; however, silence could be misinterpreted as consent.

 

"Hon. Shiddi's question, 'Where is the ₦17 billion awarded to acquire uniforms and school items from China?" unfortunately reveals either a deliberate attempt to mislead the public or a complete misunderstanding of how public procurement works.

 

 

"The ₦17 billion in question was not a lump sum given to any single contractor or transferred offshore. It represents the total cost of educational materials and infrastructure provided under the Free and Compulsory Education Policy launched in 2023

 

"Recently, during his state visit to Taraba, the Grenadian Prime Minister flagged off the distribution of these educational materials at a public function in Jalingo. Today, Uniforms and instructional materials have already been distributed to pupils across all 16 LGAs.

 

"Over 61 model schools are under construction statewide, using high technology (Hydra foam), 12 of them already completed and awaiting commissioning, while rehabilitation continues in several existing schools. The administration of Governor Agbu Kefas is building infrastructure that will meet the test of time for at least 50 years.

 

"The governor has also directed that funds be disbursed directly to school heads to ensure transparency and reduce leakages. Procurement of desks, roofing materials, and other learning infrastructure is ongoing.

 

"On the ₦206.78 Billion Bank Loan in (August 2023) it is financially misleading to portray a legitimate development loan as reckless borrowing.

 

"The ₦206.78 billion facility approved by the Taraba State House of Assembly in 2023 was a syndicated development loan targeted at revitalising key sectors such as education, agriculture, security, health, infrastructure, and social welfare.

 

 

"Governor Kefas met an almost empty treasury upon assumption of office and needed a financial bridge to stabilise governance and stimulate growth.

 

"For clarity: approval does not equate to disbursement. Most of the figures quoted by Hon. Shiddi are approved ceilings, not actual funds accessed. The state government has drawn only a portion of the approved amount, guided by prudence and project readiness.

 

"Breakdown of allocations as approved by the House: ₦50 billion for Education, ₦30 billion each for Agriculture, Security, and Health, ₦40 billion for Infrastructure, ₦5 billion each for Judiciary, Microfinance, and the House of Assembly, ₦2 billion each for Women Affairs, Digital Economy, and Waste Management, ₦5 billion for Gratuity and pension enrolment for retirees.

 

Today, the backlog of pension and gratuity arrears are being paid from both state and local government retirees.

 

 

"Beyond figures, the impact is visible. Over 750 tractors were procured and distributed to farmers, fertiliser was supplied to boost yield, dry-season farming was supported, and significant improvements were recorded in public infrastructure, including the remodelling of the Taraba State House of Assembly Complex.

 

These are tangible results backed by clear repayment structures tied to FAAC, VAT, JAAC, and IGR inflows a responsible, well-managed approach to development financing.

 

"On the ₦350 Billion Bond and the $268.63 Million ECOWAS Facility. It is important to restate that the ₦350 billion development bond has not yet been accessed. The process is still at the planning and advisory stage, awaiting clearance from the Debt Management Office (DMO) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

 

"Unlike commercial bank loans, bonds offer longer repayment periods and lower interest rates, reducing fiscal pressure on the state. Part of the bond proceeds will eventually refinance short-term bank loans while funding strategic long-term infrastructure projects.

 

"Regarding the $268.63 million ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) facility, this is not a routine loan, and the money is not coming in cash into the coffers of the state.

 

For pedestrian economists like Hon. Shiddi, it is imperative to explain that this is a project-financed investment aimed at boosting agriculture, renewable energy, and industrial growth in Taraba State. Shiddi should ordinarily have been proud that his State achieved this great feat when some countries under the regional body made efforts but failed to secure such a deal.

 

It is on record that this the first time a subnational government in Nigeria has secured such a facility, a clear indication of the credibility and vision of Governor Kefas' administration.

 

The facility will fund a 10,000-hectare rice farm and a state-branded rice mill, an industrial park for agro-processing and logistics, and a 50-megawatt solar power plant. This is a self-sustaining investment, designed to repay itself through productivity. ECOWAS Bank only funds projects that have passed rigorous feasibility studies, risk assessments, and profitability evaluations.

 

"We wish to state here that Hon. Shiddi's claim that Taraba State owes ₦1.2 trillion is entirely false and financially indefensible.