By Sylvanus Viashima in Jalingo
Taraba State Commissioner for Information and Reorientation Barr. Zainab Jalingo has said that the State is financially stable and the state government is fully committed to providing dividends of democracy to the people through strategic infrastructural development and human capacity building.
Barr. Jalingo disclosed this in a statement issued in Jalingo on Tuesday, in reaction to media publications alleging that the state has gone bankrupt.
Jalingo who maintain that the government has recorded tremendous improvement in key areas, described the publication as unverifiable, misleading and defamatory, and urge journalists to always uphold best ethical standards in their reportage.
” Through the efforts of this administration, Taraba State is now one of the safest states in Nigeria, with businesses thriving, communities regaining confidence, and residents living in peace. The government remains committed to sustaining this progress by strengthening security operations and ensuring the protection of lives and property across the state.
“The claim that Taraba State is bankrupt is false and baseless. Since assuming office, Governor Kefas has transformed Jalingo into a hub of infrastructural development with many projects already completed and commissioned. His administration prioritizes prudent financial management, significantly improving the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N700 million when the administration took over to over N2bn as of December 2024 an increment of over 200 %. This is evident in the prompt payment of salaries, pensions, and gratuities—something that had not been done since 2012.
“Furthermore, Taraba remains one of the few states in Nigeria where workers now earn more than double their previous salaries, following the implementation of the new minimum wage of N70,000. This would not have been possible if the state were in financial distress.
“The claim that Governor Agbu Kefas diverted ₦100 Billion to a retired general is an outright falsehood with no factual basis. Instead, the government is repaying loans inherited from past administrations while making giant strides in infrastructure and service delivery. Similarly, the allegation that local government intervention funds were diverted is entirely false. Just last week the Bureau for Local Government, Traditional and Chieftaincy Affairs released funds to the local government councils for developmental projects in their various councils in line with the master plan of the State.
“The claim regarding diversion of funds meant for grain purchases is also misleading. The funds were allocated as part of the administration’s food security measures to cushion the effects of economic hardship. Over 3,000 metric tons of grains have already been purchased, and the planned 10,000 metric tons will be procured before the end of the first quarter of 2025.
“While Governor Kefas remains open to constructive criticism, it is unacceptable for media practitioners to engage in blackmail and baseless allegations to mislead the public. Journalism is a noble profession that must be guided by truth, fairness, and objectivity. We urge members of the press to verify facts before publication and resist being used as tools for political propaganda” the statement reads in parts.
