Taraba Governor Kefas presents N650.6b 2026 budget, observes minute prayer for abducted Kebbi school girls

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By Celestine Ihejirika, Jalingo

Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State and members of the state Legislature observed a minute prayer for abducted Kebbi State School girls as he presented a N650.6 billion budget estimates for 2026 fiscal year.

He declared that those behind the abduction of the girls will see no peace and called on all well-meaning Nigerians to intensify prayers for speedy release of the girls, the governor stated.

Presenting the budget estimates before the assembly, Governor Kefas remarked that the budget aligns with the medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF 2026 – 2028) of the state development vision and the realities facing the citizens.

The 2026 budget estimate Christened “Development We Can See” according to the governor is a budget of proof and impact where every Kobo must count particularly on roads and infrastructure expansion, education, health (hospital), water, energy, youth-empowerment, security as well as human capital development and rural transformation.

The total proposed estimate of N650, 631,700,000 has a capital expenditure of N457,741,601,414 representing 70.36% while the current expenditure stands at N192,890,098,586 also represents 29.64%.

On revenue projection, opening balance has N2.14 billion, internal generated revenue (IGR) N29.78 billion, Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) – statutory allocation and VAT N376.16 billion, aids and grants N36.32 billion as Capital Development Fund (CDF) receipts pave the way for N206.24 billion respectively.

It will be recalled that the 2025 appropriation bill including supplementary budget stood at a total sum of N574. 8 billion during the period under review.

Receiving the 2026 budget estimated, the speaker of the house, Rt. Hon. Kizito John Bonzena applauded the governor for prudent management of resources in 2025 and pledged for the speedy acceleration passage of 2026 estimate bill before the house to enable the governor to continue to progress for the development of the state.