THE Taraba State Government has dismissed reports alleging that Governor Agbu Kefas diverted over ₦100 billion to a retired general.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information and Reorientation, Zainab Usman, described the claim as “an outright falsehood with no factual basis.”
“The governor has not handed over such an amount of money to any individual for any reason whatsoever. Instead, the government is repaying loans inherited from past administrations while making significant strides in infrastructure and service delivery,” she added.
The statement also refuted allegations that local government intervention funds had been misappropriated.
“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 areas,” Usman said.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to press freedom but urged journalists to uphold professionalism, accuracy, and ethical reporting rather than spreading falsehoods.
Highlighting improvements in security under Kefas’s leadership, Usman noted that Taraba had previously suffered from severe insecurity, with bandits operating openly in Jalingo, the state capital.
She credited the administration’s provision of patrol vehicles, logistics, and intelligence resources to security agencies for a significant reduction in crime.
The statement further dismissed claims that Taraba State was bankrupt, calling them “false and baseless.”
Usman added, “Since assuming office, Governor Kefas has transformed Jalingo into a hub of infrastructural development, with many projects already completed and commissioned.
“The administration prioritises prudent financial management, significantly improving the state’s Internally Generated Revenue from ₦700 million when the administration took over to over ₦2 billion as of December 2024—an increase of over 200 per cent.
“Contrary to claims that no projects have been executed, the Kefas-led administration has embarked on numerous developmental projects across the state, including the completion of the TY Danjuma House in Abuja and Jalingo, enhancing the state’s national presence and boosting investor confidence.”
The statement also disclosed that several projects initiated by the present administration were ongoing both within and outside the state.