*Construction ongoing, says Governor Kefas’ official
From Godwin Agia, Jalingo
Residents of Taraba state have expressed deep worries over €25 million European Investment Bank loan secured for the construction of 500-kilometre roads across the state without any visible sign of the roads on ground.
Our correspondent reports that the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun had recently, on behalf of Taraba, Benue, Edo, Anambra, Borno and Cross River states, signed a 30 years agreement loan of 150 million euros with the European Investment Bank to construct 500 kilometer roads in each of the six states.
According to the minister, the money was to be disbursed to the states account in June 2024, and the six states are to get €25 million each, meant strictly for roads construction especially in rural areas.
Meanwhile, residents of the state have raised the alarm that while other states have finished the kilometer mapping of the roads to commence work as soon as the money is disbursed, no single kilometer has been mapped in Taraba, while some credible sources have alleged of plans to misapply the funds.
Mr. Ambita Ezra, Musa John Adi and Titus Habu Kona, told our correspondent that sources have reviewed the matter and fear that state authorities may misapply the loan for purposes other than they were meant for.
The sources also expressed fears that the state authorities may apply only a small percentage of the loan to complete roads left by former governor Darius Ishaku in Yorro, Bali, Gassol and Donga local governments, instead of constructing new roads as envisaged by the loan facility.
“Why we are beginning to agree with reports that the state Government and a few stakeholders may be planning to misdirect the €25 million euros by the European Investment Bank for Taraba to construct 500 kilometer roads across the state is that, while the other five states who have also secured the loan alongside Taraba, have finished the roads kilometer mapping and have made it public for citizens to be aware of the development, Governor Kefas has not disclosed the development to citizens, and no single kilometer has been mapped in respect of that.
“We learnt that plans are on ground to divert and share 70 per cent of the money while 30 per cent will be used to complete the 85 per cent completion roads left by former governor Darius Ishaku’s administration in Yorro, Bali, Gassol and Donga local governments.
“The silence of the governor over the money is suspicious. We want him to tell the public which of the roads would be captured in the mapping of the 500 kilometers.
“The governor has made so many promises even when money was not on ground, and we are wondering why he is being silent now that the European Investment Bank has signed the cheque to disburse €25 million for the construction of 500 kilometer roads across Taraba”, the residents queried.
When contacted, the Taraba state Commissioner for Works, Mr. Moses Luka asked our correspondent to call governor Agbu Kefas to get a written letter and submit to the ministry before he would respond.
“Call the governor and get a written letter signed by him and submit to my ministry before I would respond to what you are asking. I did not secure the loan, the state government secured the loan so, call the governor to give you a letter so that I will talk to you”, the Works Commissioner said.
The state Commissioner for Information, Barr. Zainab Usman Jalingo did not answer calls put to her cell phone, and did not reply to text messages sent to her.
However, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, the Special Adviser to Governor Kefas on Media and Digital Communication, urged Tarabans not to panic, as governor Kefas has no intention to loot Taraba treasury, or divert any money meant to develop the state.
“No one should panic, there is no hiden agenda by the governor in anyway. Plans for the roads kilometer mapping has already been completed by the ministry of works so, no one should panic.
“Governor Kefas’ intention is to ensure total transformation of Taraba, and is not collaborating with any stakeholder to divert any money. Money meant for the development of Taraba would always be judiciously used for the purpose meant for,” he said
