From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo

As the May 29 date approaches for the state Governor Agbu Kefas to mark his Two years anniversary in office, notable voices from the major opposition political party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), have accused the state governor of prioritising his personal luxury and comfort, while abandoning projects that would have direct impact on the people.

Former Envoy to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Alhaji Hassan Ardo Jika accused the governor of prioritising  self luxury projects that benefit him and few of his cabinet members in the last two years of his office, while leaving the people to continue wallowing in undue hardship.

The state government has complained of inadequate financial resources, and is sourcing for loans and bonds, but Jika said it has engaged in multiple projects that have engulfed billions of Naira without seeing the light of the day, two years after assuming office.

Jika said the governor gives priority to the Suntai Airport in Jalingo for his personal and cabinet member’s trips, fast tracked completion of selected offices at TY Danjuma House (Government House) Jalingo, TY Danjuma House (Taraba Govt. Lodge) Abuja, and the recently commissioned TY Danjuma Lodge in Wukari, the governor’s home town, all for his personal luxury and comfort.

“How many people from the state are capable of paying flight ticket of close to N200,000 from Jalingo to Abuja? The Namnai Bridge which collapsed since the last raining season has been abandoned by the governor, that is the road that common people are suffering to cross on daily basis, yet he has abandoned the bridge because he doesn’t drive on the road and can afford the luxury of following the longer route in the comfort of his luxurious cars, if it becomes necessary” he stated.

Another APC chieftain, Amb. Rikwensi Muri, who spoke on the issue, said that the governor has abandoned the reconstruction of Jalingo Trade Fair, Construction of Jalingo Trailer Park, Wukari International Yam Market, construction of Jalingo Abattoir, construction of Wukari Chinkai Road, commissioning of Jalingo Palliative Market and many other projects that have, supposedly, already consumed billions of naira, while contractors have already deserted the site for over six months.

Muri added that the governor has abandoned all the promises he made to the people of the state during 2023 gubernatorial campaigns, and is still making more promises as if he has forgotten that the campaigns are over and it is time for governance.

“If you check round the completed projects executed by Governor Kefas, it is strictly for his luxury and his cabinet members. These are projects that are for his luxury and comfort. Other projects that have to do with the masses such as the Jalingo Trailer Park, Jalingo Abattoir, Jalingo Palliative Market, Wukari Chinkai Road, most of the General Hospitals he initiated across the state have been abandoned for over six months.

“All of the above mentioned projects, the contractors have abandoned the sites for over six months, the governor will complete his second year in office in the next few days, the projects are already abandoned with contractors leaving the sites. We are waiting to see which projects are earmarked for commissioning during his second year anniversary, come May 29th” Muri added.

Meanwhile, the governor has insisted that he has performed well in the last two years of his reign as the governor of Taraba State.

The Special Adviser to the governor on media and Digital Communications, Hon. Emmanuel  Bello, in a press statement titled “Two years report card of Gov. Kefas” said the governor has continued to run the state with humility, transparency, fear of God and deep love for the people.

Bello said the governor is “hovering, brooding and rebuilding the neglected broken walls of the state including provision of security to residents of the state, free education, good governance, prompt payment of salaries, construction of road networks, construction of airport, provision of tractors to farmers and improvement of the health of the people”.