Outcry as an agency seeks government intervention to look into mandate establishing Taraba tractor hiring unit

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By Celestine Ihejirika, Jalingo

Recent outcry by farmers in the state from accessing government-owned tractors is now causing ripples as the agency has sought the intervention of governor Agbu kefas to look into the mandate establishing tractor hiring units in the state.

Investigation conducted by our correspondent in Jalingo during the week revealed general outcry by Taraba farmers who are bitterly lamenting over an alleged move by highly placed politicians in government cabinet to make tractors inaccessible for real farmers but instead to closed-alleys and family members.

A peep at Ardo-kola, Gassol, Jalingo, Yorro and Zing local government areas in the state respectively revealed was not different as majority of farmers who spoke to our reporter insisted there was collaboration along the line by politicians mainly government officials to frustrate governor’s good intention on the newly purchased tractors.

According to them, governor Kefas during flag-off of the tractors made it clear that his administration will not tolerate diversion of tractors from core farmers at hinter lands but alleges fears that the governor’s warning had negated the background.

However, contacted about this ugly situation, the general manager, Taraba state Tractor Hiring Unit (THU) Engr. Danladi Shatalis disclosed there had been mounting pressure to his office by farmers over tractors but regretted that no single one was allocated to the unit for operational use, “I will plead to the governor to look into the mandate establishing tractor hiring unit in the state so that the issue will be resolved once and for all.” he stated.

Engr. Shatali further pointed out that the agency which serves as the backbone to government revenue generating venture, no doubt needed intervention of the chief executive of the state to perform it’s obligational roles to meet up with the desired expectation as the unit has professionals and trained operators, engineers and mechanics who can effectively handle its operation and add more values to government properties than to look elsewhere.

Shatalis noted the unwavering commitment of Governor Kefas developmental strides in the state and solicited the executive support to ensure that tractors left outside the unit be brought to the agency for proper maintenance to ease the increasing demand of farmers at the local levels.

“I’m appealing to his Excellency to please look into the condition of tractor hiring units in the state for quick intervention just as he did in the educational sector which is not in the hands of individuals,” he said.