We Will Reposition PDP for a Better Outing in 2019 Elections – Senator Bwacha

Senator representing Southern Taraba in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, said the ongoing re-organisation embarked upon by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is meant to reposition the party for a more purposeful outing in 2019.

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha said this recently during the just concluded Ward Congress delegates election of the PDP in Takum, which is one of the areas that constitutes his Constituency, saying that, the challenges before the party are enormous and there is the need to reorganise and make it wax much more stronger so that it will take its rightful place in the country’s polity.

He maintained that since 1999 the PDP has been the ruling party until 2015 when it lost the position to the All Progressive Congress, APC, and said there is need to sensitise party faithfuls on the new role the party now found itself.

The law maker explained that the PDP is now in the opposition and it is important to be very effective in the new found role so that it will translate into good governance that the people have been yearning for in the country.

Senator Bwacha disclosed that though the re-organisation is a difficult task, he  assured that all avenues such as dialogue and continous negotiation will be explored to ensure that the party regains its position come 2019.

Speaking on the journey so far by the present administration of Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha said what every society desires most is peaceful coexistence and commended the effort of the present government for reducing the hitherto restiveness which was prevalent in some parts of the state to the nearest minimum, asserting that with peace Taraba will witness massive transformation in all facets.

He maintained that, though the issue of insecurity was a global phenomenon, he lamented that the administration that was sacked by the Supreme Court failed in its responsibility to provide the needed security for the citizens of the state which culminated into many deaths and destruction of property.

On the issue of the invasion of Taraba state by Bokoharam insurgents and cattle herdsmen which generated lots of heated debate in the Senate chamber of the National Assembly and resulted into a serious misconception by the ruling party, the APC, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha said he has been proven right and his opponents put to shame and expressed happiness with the manner both Federal and state government are working hard to stop the menace.

The Senator however expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the Ward Congress delegates elections. He pointed out that it was an opportunity for every card carrying member of the PDP to exercise their civic duty as members of the party in order to rejuvenate the party by giving all sense of unity and oneness, stressing that, he took it upon himself to go round his Constituency, Southern Taraba to ensure a hitch free exercise.

Gov Ishaku Vows to Tackle Unemployment, Insecurity in Taraba

Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, has promised to continue tackling the high rate of unemployment and security challenge in accordance to the mandate  given by the people of Taraba.

This was made known by Ishaku while addressing supporters at his residence in Takum local council of the state.

He also reiterated his determination to harness the state's abundant natural resources.Citing the tourism potentials available in the entire axis of the state. He has great plans to diversify Taraba economy.

 According to him, his government which has assembled the best formidable team of experts, would work to discourage the idea of waiting for crude oil money from the central government before paying workers and embarking on meaningful projects.

General Insecurity: Benue, Taraba bishops seek God’s intervention

Disturbed by violent clashes between herders and farmers, Catholic bishops in Benue and Taraba State met on Sunday at the St. Edward De Confessor Catholic Parish, Kashimbilla in Takum LGA of Taraba State to pray for God’s intervention.

The prayer session was attended by the Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, the Most Rev. Dr. Charles Hammawa, Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, Rev. Dr. Peter Adoboh and Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Rev. Dr. Williams Amove Avenya who is also the Secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, (CBCN).

NLC gives Taraba governor 30-day ultimatum, find out why

The Taraba State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has given Governor Darius Ishaku of the state the end of May to settle all the deductions made by the state government in the workers’ salaries.

The trade union wants the government to settle the salaries of all underpaid and omitted civil servants from October 2015.

The state chairman of the NLC, Peter Gambo, gave the ultimatum on Sunday during the May Day celebration in Jalingo, the state capital.

“The government should as a matter of urgency settle all deductions and omissions of salaries right from October 2015, and today before the end of May, 2016,” the NLC chairman said.

The union also advised the state government to initiate a process for settlement of what it called “all backlog of pensions and gratuities” to retired workers in the state.

The NLC also declared as unacceptable “the continued refusal” of the Taraba government to issue a salary circular for local government and primary school teachers.

“We also encourage the government to close the gap in the payments of local government staff and primary school teachers’ salaries,” Mr. Gambo said.

The union further demanded the immediate transfer of the consultant that is handling workers’ payments in the state from Abuja to Jalingo.

Source from Premiumtimes

Gov Ishaku Inspects Projects in Takum - The Working Governor

Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku on Saturday inspects some ongoing projects in his country home, Takum.

The projects inspected included the 6.5 kilometres Takum, Katsina Ala road construction, the Abuja 2.2 kilometres township road which both are being handled by the Taraba Road Construction and Maintenance Agency, TARCMA, and the Takum power substation which is being handled by Dizzat company limited.

Speaking to Government House Press Crew shortly after the inspection, Governor Darius Ishaku expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work saying that by the terms of the agreement the the 6.5 kilometre should have been completed four months ago.

However, he expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, stating that, the work is being carried out according to standard and specification and explained that the 6.5 kilometres road is among the projects he intends to commission while marking his one year in office.

Accordingly, the Governor said he will deploy the Commsioner of Works and Transport to come and monitor the pace of work so that the project will not lagg behind any longer by providing all that the Agency requires so that it will be completed and commissioned as intended by his administration.

Speaking on the 2.2 kilometres Abuja byepass road which is meant to connect the old and the new settlement in Takum, Governor Darius Ishaku explained that the area is a new settlement and most people are now moving to the area. As a result, there is need to provide them with an access road. 

Because of the deep gully which has separated the old and the new settlement, a bridge will be constructed so that the two areas would be connected and Takum town could be accessed from all angles.

The Governor was conducted round the two project sites by the project supervisor, Engineer Dauda Ishola who told the Governor that work is progressing steadily and solicited for prompt release of funds so that the Agency will be able to meet up with the new time.

Engr. Ishola regretted that the Agency lagged behind because there were problems with some of their equipment. He appreciated the Governor for his promptness in the replacement of some of their articulated vehicles that had broken down and stressed that at the moment the Agency has no problem in terms of equipment.

He also informed the Governor that the Agency discovered that one of the culverts is old and may not be able to accommodate and withstand the force of water when the project is completed and said in order to conform with engineering safety standard the culvert will be removed and a new mini bridge constructed in the 6.5 kilometres road.

While at the power substation, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku was taken round the project by the Managing Director of Dizzat company limited, engineer, Engr. Ishaku Tikon,  the areas inspected by the Governor included the already mounted 750 KVA transformer and the substation’s main building which is to serve as both offices and control room.

Engr. Tikon told the Governor that most of the work on the transformer have been completed. Only the outside protective components are being expected and assured the Governor that the delivery will be done this week, stating that the work will be completed far ahead of the time frame.

Governor Darius Ishaku expressed appreciation with the pace of work and commended the MD for keeping faith with his administration, explaining that, the level of work carried out so far by the company far outweighed what was given to him and assured the MD that all that is needed to help him complete the remaining work will be attended to with urgency.

Immediately after the inspection of the substation, Governor Darius Ishaku had no option but to  address a large gathering of Takum residents who came out in their numbers to cheer and assure him of their support for the various projects going on throughout the state, with particular emphasis on Takum town.

The Governor told the happy crowd that very soon Takum will be connected to the 33 KVA line from Katsina Ala which he said power supply will be improved, adding that, very soon Kashimbila will equally come up.

He told the gathering that he is determined to give the state his best urging them to take advantage of the electricity when fully completed; adding that when the 33 KVA becomes operational it would be extended to Ussa Local Government and Yangtu Special development areas respectively.

During the course of the inspection, Governor Darius Ishaku donated the sum of five hundred thousand Naira to a small scale business enterprise in Angwan Rogo that specialises in the fabrication of kitchen utensils using wood to help them boost their business. He also contracted them to fabricate about 100 different varieties of the utensils which will be paid for by the state government.
The business enterprise specialize in the fabrication of Morta  and pestle, wooden spoons and forks, wooden dishes, trays and cups.

Taraba PDP Ward Congress Was a Huge Success Says Gov Ishaku

Taraba Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku has described the Peoples Democratic Party Ward Congress delegate elections that took place in all parts of the state as a huge success and a positive signal for the party in its national convention as well as a pointer to success in the 2019 elections.

 Governor Darius Ishaku said this yesterday in Takum Local Government, his country home, when the Congress committee of the party who were in the state to monitor the ward congress delegate elections paid him a courtesy call.


He used the forum and commended PDP members in all the wards of the state for the peaceful manner the exercise was conducted and informed the congress committee that he personally went out to monitor the event and asserted that there was no reported case of any breakdown of law and order during the exercise.

The Governor maintained that Taraba is a home to PDP and PDP remains the only viable option for the state considering the successes recorded by party in the state since 1999 by successive administration.

Gov. Darius Ishaku stated that all the governors that have governed the state in the past were PDP and they did their best to provide the state with some basic infrastructure.  He further  said his administration which is christened the Rescue Mission is poised to do much more better than the past regimes by reinvigorating on the existing ones and to also initiate new ones that will position the state strategically in the north east region.

Speaking further, Darius Ishaku lamented that about ten months of his one year in office was spent on litigation but pointed out that despite the challenges his administration has been able to make some positive impact on the socio-economic repositioning of the state which included:

• the commencement of thrice weekly scheduled flights to the state,
• the plant in Kakara which has also undergone complete overhauling with the intention to provide the country with about 10% of its tea requirement.

Other areas mentioned by the Governor included:

• Road construction,
• Improved power supply,
• Water and
• Scheduled flight will soon commence in the southern part of the state using the Kashimbila Dam Airport after undergoing expansion and certification, and pointed out that at moment the airport is functional but needs some little adjustments to accommodate bigger aircraft.
• The hydroelectric power dam which will be constructed in Gembu, Sardauna Local Government and when completed the dam is expected to generate about 350 megawatts of electricity.

He also told the Committee that Taraba state is a home for mining and farming activities apart from the wonderful weather the state is blessed with at the Mambila plateau, Sardauna LGA.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the congress committee for the honour, by visiting him in his home town, Takum and commended them for going round to monitor the exercise in the state.

Earlier in his speech, the leader of the Congress committee of the PDP, Sir. Emma Ekpirpo said they were impressed with what they witnessed in the state on the conduct of the ward congresses.

Sir Ekpirpo stated that they were drafted to Taraba state by PDP National Secretariat to oversee the ward congress elections of the party which is taking place throughout the country and said it was traditional to pay homage to the leader of the party who is also the state Governor.

Sir Ekpirpo expressed satisfaction on the conduct of the ward congresses in the state saying, ‘there is harmony in Taraba state and it is actually the home of PDP in the country,” he said.

He maintained that in all the places visited as part of the exercise, every card carrying member of the PDP was happy and the exercise was smooth and peaceful and there was adequate mobilisation of all the security apparatus in case of any breakdown of law and order and commended such sense of commitment and patriotism exhibited by the state.

The nine committee members were led by the Taraba state PDP Chairman Hon. Victor Bala Kona in the monitoring of ward congress elections in the state.


Source: taravoices