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Governor Kefas of Taraba State
By Celestine Ihejirika, Jalingo
Taraba State House of Assembly has approved the sum of N206.7 billion supplementary bill to enable the state government access loan facilities for development of critical sectors in the state.
The request of the state Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas was brought to the floor of the Assembly on August 2, 2023.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon John Kizito Bonzena on Friday’s plenary needed urgent attention as the state was in dire need of funds to carry out critical projects in the state.
According to him, the speedy passage of the supplementary bill was to grant the Governor quick access to loan facilities from the four financial institutions which include Zenith, UBA, Fidelity and Keystone banks.
He pointed out that interest rate for the facilities shall attract 18% and administrative charges of 5% deductible affront.
The N206.7 billion loan which has a life span of four years, the Speaker observed, will not be an over burden to the state, and assured Taraba people that the bill will see the light of the day as Governor Kefas was passionate for rapid development of the state.
In their contribution, members resolved that given the urgent need for quick passage of the supplementary bill particularly on education sector, unanimously moved that N5 billion be used to settle pensions and gratuities of local government retirees from the estimated loan approved and commended Governor Kefas for transparent, prudent and developmental strides in the state.
The Speaker applauded his colleagues for commitment and speedy passage of the supplementary bill which he said has clearly shown their readiness to support the government’s quest to move the state out of its present predicament and directed the Clerk of the House to communicate their resolution to the executive arm.
The Governor forwarded a request to enable him tackle some critical sectors in the state which include education, agriculture, health and security. Others are infrastructural development, micro-finance bank, house of assembly, judiciary, women affairs, digital economic and waste management among others.
