Africa-Press – Nigeria. Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has urged citizens to be patient and work with his administration as partners in progress, as the state continues to navigate challenges inherited from past administrations.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday in Jalingo, Governor Kefas described the condition of the state when he assumed office as “far from conducive,” adding that he received no support structure, “not even a bottle of water,” on inauguration day.
Despite these hurdles, the governor reaffirmed his dedication to serving the people, not engaging in political battles.
“I have no choice than to do it to the end. After that, the people can decide what they want,” Kefas said.
The governor, who outlined education, civil service reform, and security as the cornerstone priorities of his government, said the issue of out-of-school children and widespread insecurity were among the most pressing problems he observed before taking office, and his administration is determined to address them in a sustainable manner.
On education, Kefas noted that he launched a bold initiative by starting with 60 schools and implementing a policy of free education across the state.
“I made a commitment on education and took a bold step. By the time I finish building those schools, children will know that once upon a time, there was school,” he said.
He lamented the absence of reliable data in the education sector and across government agencies, saying, “When I came on board, the records were not straight.”
Governor Kefas stressed the need for urgent civil service reform in Taraba, describing it as long overdue. “I stood my ground that the civil service needs reform,” he said, criticizing the practice of withholding workers’ entitlements. “Why should somebody work and not be paid?”
He also highlighted the state’s complex security landscape, citing Taraba’s vast landmass and its shared borders with six other Nigerian states and Cameroon as factors that complicate policing and surveillance efforts.
The governor, who did not hold back in addressing criticisms aimed at his administration, accused some of his detractors of being sponsored by “illegal miners and witches,” insisting that many negative narratives were politically motivated or misinformed.
“You can’t build Rome in one day. Many of the uncompleted projects we met were inherited. We’ve been able to tidy up some of them,” he said.
On infrastructure, Kefas acknowledged the challenge of limited resources but stressed his administration’s commitment to transparency and responsible governance.
“I don’t want to start a project I can’t complete and have people saying I ran with the money,” he said.
Governor Kefas appealed to the media for balanced and factual reporting, urging journalists to support the development of the state through honest coverage.
“I am not a magician and I know I am not perfect. But with my background, I know I can give the best.”
He also encouraged citizens to engage constructively with his administration. “If you see things and bring them out, we will work on them,” he said. “Let’s be fair to each other and be partners in progress.”
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