Darius With Ogbeh, Minister Of Agric: Working On Agricultural Development Plan For Taraba

Gov. Darius Ishaku and his team paid a courtesy visit at the Ministry of Agriculture. Audu Ogbeh, the minister of Agriculture was on ground to welcome them.

Agricultural development plan for Taraba state and its implementation in order to improve the revenue generated by the Government, was the sole purpose of the visit. Taraba as we know, has a very large land mass with abundance arable lands and no wonder it is refered to as  nature's gift.

Recently, we disclosed that the Goverment putting plan in place to send 100 youths for training in Isreal in the field of agriculture.

Gov Ishaku said his government is planning to diversify more into agriculture to create jobs for people of the state and generate revenue.

Ishaku said “If attention is given to agriculture, the state will generate more revenue than what we are getting at the moment.”

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Taraba Assembly Passes Fiscal Responsibility Commission Bill Into Law.

The Taraba state Fiscal Responsibility Commission (Amendment Bill) 2016 had Tuesday, been passed by the Taraba state House of Assembly, in order to enhance the powers of the commission in the performance of its functions.

In a plenary presided over by Speaker, Abel Peter Diah, the House had considered the Bill the third time and by a unanimous decision passed it into Law thereby amending the former Law- The Taraba State Fiscal Responsibility Commission Law No.7 of 2011.

According to the amended Law, the Commission shall among several others, have power to: Request for and obtain information relating to public revenue, expenditure and related matters from any person, department, public institution or body or arm of the government of the state.

It shall interview any person it deems necessary with regards to government revenue and expenditure; Monitor and enforce the remittance of revenue by all corporations and government agencies into the consolidated revenue fund as is herein provided and publish same at the commencement of every fiscal year; Collaborate and cooperate with all or any of the Nigeria Police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission or any other agency, public body, Ministry, Extra-Ministerial Department of the State.

The Commission shall also, ‘without prejudice to the powers of the Auditor General of the State, review or verify the financial records of any Government Agency, Corporation,Ministry, Extra-Ministerial Department of the State.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House, Abel Peter Diah, in his remarks after the Bill has been passed into Law, stated that the only way the State could look inwards was by passing the Bill into Law in order to generate revenue for the State. He however, warned MDA’s who were alleged to not cooperating with the Committee on IGR to desist henceforth in order not to incur the wrath of the House.
The amended Law would be sent to the Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, for his assent.

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Gov. Ishaku Focuses On People Oriented Projects, Improves State Economy

Taraba State Governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku has assured people of the state that he will continue to keep the flag flying in the execution of people oriented projects affirming that he will  strife to carry all along.

Governor Darius Ishaku said this recently in Government House Jalingo when he hosted officials of both Muslim and Christian Associations to a breaking of fast, hence the need to pray fervently within this period for a lasting and enduring peace in the state.

Gov. Darius Ishaku maintained that the reason why he invited the leadership of the two faiths is to further encourage them on the need for peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic groups that belongs to either of the faith, saying that, the reason why the people are seated peacefully is because there is peace in the state and beckoned on the leaders of the two religions to inculcate sound moral values that would engender mutual respect and harmonious interactions.

He however expressed optimism that, with the gradual peace returning to the state it would usher in more development even at a more faster pace and reiterated that he intends to proactively transform the Mambila Beverages Production Company to produce about ten percent tea requirement of the country.

The Governor also informed the gathering that modalities are being worked out for the state to maximally explore other areas such as coffee, palm oil processing and irrigation with special focus on dry season rice farming and regretted that the Taraba State cassava processing plant has not been functional for some time but, reiterated his administration’s determination to as matter of urgency liaise with our partners so that the company will resume production.


Darius Ishaku said other areas that the state government intends to holistically reorganize and re- energise some Ministries for the benefit of the state, which include education, health and the Agricultural sectors, with the aim of making them vibrant more in meeting the needs of the people of the state and quickly pointed out that, though the state is cash trap, is an opportunity to be ingenious and diversify the state revenue sources particularly in mining and agriculture.

Governor Darius Ishaku appreciated the civil servants for their patience, understanding and resilience, explaining that the present salary verification is in the best interest of the state and assured that very soon civil servants in the will have course to rejoice when the exercise is concluded.

He also used the forum to thank the Taraba State House of Assembly and the judiciary for working closely with him and according him the maximum support that has been helping him in piloting the affairs of the state.

The Governor appreciated the two Chairmen, CAN and Muslim councils for their kind words and support and equally recognising the contribution of his wife in the state and assured them that his administration will engage them positively for the overall peaceful and harmonious coexistence of the people of state.

Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of Muslim Council, Alhaji Inuwa Jauro Mafindi commended the state Governor for the successes his administration has so far recorded within the period of one year in office and urged him to continue to do more for the people of the state.

Inuwa Jauro said it was thoughtful of him as the Chief Executive of the state to bring the two religious bodies together during this Ramadan to fraternise with the sole objective of enhancing peace and mutual coexistence in the state and appealed to the Governor to sustain the wonderful initiative, adding, the Muslim Council Chairman also commended the effort of the first lady for working tirelessly to bring succour to women and youths in the state and encouraged her not to relent in the good works that she has started through her foundation, Hope Afresh.

On his part, the CAN Chairman, Rev. Dr. Ben Ube said the emergence of Governor Ishaku as Taraba State Governor was not an accident but God’s design and this has been attested to by the numerous laudable projects that have either been commissioned or are on going and prayed for more peoples oriented projects that will better the lives of Tarabans.

Dr. Ben Ube maintained that the rescue mission is yielding great results and assured the Governor of CAN’s support and that, he shall prevail in all that he ventures into and task the Governor to run an all encompassing administration so that the smiles he has started putting on the faces of people of the state will continue to the end.

Credit: Taravoices

Taraba To Access N14.16 Billion FG Loan Facility For More Project Development

The Taraba state Government is set to take a N14.16 Billion Facility under the Federal Government Conditional Budget Support Facility subject to meeting certain conditions, as resolved by the National Economic Council.

A letter sent to the Taraba state House of Assembly by Governor of Taraba state, Arc. Darius Ishaku, dated June 28, 2016, seeking the approval of the House, stated that the ‘state has been formally offered the sum of N14.16 Billion…. and shall be available in three tranches.

According to the letter, the facility was due to the economic meltdown as a result of the fall in the price of crude oil which hampers the ability of states to discharge their responsibilities.

The letter reads:‘The disbursements are conditional upon the initial financial review and the attainment of targets to be outlined in an individually tailored Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP).The terms of the Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP) were agreed at the National Economic Council Meeting held on May 19,2016.This subsidized interest rate of 9 per cent, one year moratorium and ten year tenure was agreed upon. Repayments have been securitized against future dividends or refunds due from the Federal Government’.

The Speaker, Abel Peter Diah, presided over the plenary and read the letter without any debate.  The governor concluded in the letter that ‘in order to move our state to another level, we need this funding programme.

The consent of the members on the document was sought through a voice vote and by a unanimous consent, the House approved the Facility. The Speaker then directed the Clerk of the House, to communicate the governor on the development.

However, Speaker of the House, Abel Peter Diah, in his remarks, stressed that the Facility was only meant for capital projects and not recurrent expenditure.

Meanwhile, the House has adjourned sitting to July 11, 2016, to enable members celebrate the Sallah.

EFCC Investigates Garba Umar(UTC) For Alleged Stealing Of Taraba State Fund

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun investigation into the alleged looting of Taraba States treasury by the sacked Acting Governor, Garba Umar, popularly called UTC.

Ibrahim Lamorde

Umar’s name is on a list with 10 former governors standing trial for alleged corruption.

The anti-corruption agency invited him in a letter dated June 6, signed by the Head of Economic Governance, Olufunke Adetayo-Ogumbode.

The letter, entitled: “Investigation Activities –Letter of Invitation”, was received by the Taraba State government on July 17, requesting the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Anthony Jellason, to ask Umar to report to the EFCC for “an interview.”

Jellason was fired by Umar when he (Jellason) was the commissioner for Agriculture. Jellason’s sack, including that of ex-Governor Danbaba Suntai’s loyalists, by Umar, was believed to be political.

Our Source learnt that the majority of Taraba indigenes demanded the probe of the former acting governor, for allegedly stealing billions of the state’s funds and leaving Taraba in a debt of over N20billion, mostly incurred from bank overdrafts.

Following the plane crash involving ex-Governor Suntai on October 25, 2012, Umar, his deputy, became the acting governor between November 14, 2012 and November 21 last year when he was sacked by the Supreme Court for “illegally and unconstitutionally occupying the office.”

It was reported that “Umar, during his illegal reign, threw to the dogs, financial and administrative instructions with impunity.” He was also accused of lack of accountability and fiscal recklessness.

Umar is to answer questions on three-count charge, including conspiracy, theft and abuse of office, according to the EFCC.

Its letter reads: “The commission (EFCC) is conducting an enquiry into a case of conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds.”