By our Correspondent, February 6,2026.
In a decisive push to fast-track grassroots development, Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has disbursed ₦100 million each to the 16 Local Government Areas of the state a total of ₦1.6 billion — with a strong charge on accountability, transparency, and visible impact.
The disbursement ceremony, held at the TY Danjuma House in Jalingo, drew local government chairmen and top officials, marking what many observers describe as one of the most direct fiscal empowerment initiatives for councils in recent times.
Framing the intervention as more than a financial release, Governor Kefas described it as a deliberate delegation of responsibility designed to reach underserved communities and accelerate people-focused projects at the grassroots.
The governor said local government chairmen occupy a critical position in governance architecture because of their proximity to the people, referring to them as his “foot soldiers” in delivering development across the state.
According to him, the funds are tied to performance expectations. He explained that each council was required to submit project proposals beforehand a move aimed at committing chairmen to measurable outcomes and prudent use of public resources.
“This is about responsibility and results,” the governor emphasized, noting that a monitoring committee would be constituted to track project execution and ensure compliance with approved plans.
Governor Kefas directed that priority be given to the renovation and rehabilitation of primary and secondary schools, signaling education infrastructure as a central pillar of the intervention. He stressed that improving learning environments at the basic and post-basic levels would have long-term social and economic benefits for the state.
Beyond project selection, the governor also prepared the chairmen for the realities of public leadership, warning that criticism, resistance, and even blackmail may arise in the course of implementation. He urged them to remain focused, transparent, and accountable.
He further advised them to adopt an inclusive approach by actively engaging community members, traditional rulers, and stakeholder groups, insisting that no segment of society should be left out in project planning and execution.
Providing administrative context to the disbursement, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Godfrey Dame, disclosed that the governor had earlier directed all councils to submit standardized templates for what is tagged the Kefas Local Government Coordinating Projects.
He said the framework aligns with the administration’s Five-Finger Agenda, which serves as the policy compass for development initiatives across sectors in the state.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Taraba State Chapter, Hon. Moses Maihankali, commended the governor for what he described as a rare opportunity for councils to make history through people-centered projects.
He assured that the chairmen would justify the confidence reposed in them and deliver projects that would have direct and visible impact on their communities.
With funds released, oversight mechanisms promised, and expectations clearly set, attention now shifts to the councils where the real test will be how quickly and effectively the billions translate into functioning schools, improved facilities, and tangible grassroots development.
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