The Commissioner for Information and Reorientation in Taraba, Zainab Usman, on Wednesday says the State is not bankrupt.
Reacting to allegations of financial mismanagement and misappropriation against the state government, Usman said the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, rose from 700 million Naira at the start of the administration to over 2 billion Naira by December 2024.
Usman, in the statement, also dismissed the claims of alleged misappropriation of 100 billion Naira as outright falsehoods with no factual basis.
She said:”rather than diverting funds, the administration has been servicing inherited loans while simultaneously executing major infrastructural projects.”
Usman noted that the implementation of 70,000 Naira new minimum wage was a proof of the state’s financial stability, as she countered claims that no projects had been executed by listing several completed and ongoing infrastructure projects.
She therefore highlighted significant progress in security, stating that under Governor Agbu Kefas, Taraba State has become one of the safest place to be in Nigeria.
Once plagued by insecurity, including banditry within Jalingo, Usman said the government has bolstered security efforts by providing patrol vehicles, logistics support, and intelligence resources for security agencies.
These measures, the government noted, have led to a drastic reduction in crime and restored confidence among residents and investors.
The government, she said, remains committed to strengthening security operations and ensuring the protection of lives and property across the state.
