Taraba: Group cautions governor Agbu Kefas over alleged wasteful spending.

 

The faceless Group are not in  touch with the realities in Taraba - Emmanuel Bello 

A group under the umbrella of Tarabans in Diaspora has called on Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas to stop alleged wasteful spending and take governance seriously for the betterment of the people in the State.

Spokesperson of the group, Martins Joel in a statement on Wednesday noted that there are alot of reasons that suggested that governor Kefas does not consult or seek the opinions of either his aides or relevant stakeholders before arriving at critical decisions.

Joel said the idea of going around meeting consultants or embassies without first discussing or critically examining such issues as education, economy, security, or even projects is not a good path to take.

According to the statement, “It will only mean that Taraba goes for those meetings without the right data for engagement and with a shallow understanding of the situation.

“This has also led to a lot of rumours that the Governor trusts outsiders for decisions affecting the state rather than relying on the abundant human resources in the state. Are we stopping him from consulting outsiders? No! But he shouldn’t ignore the people within, and if he is consulting them, it should be clearly seen.

“Governor Kefas promised there would be a paradigm shift in governance and he hoped to start with appointments. He told everyone who cared to listen that his government was the government of the youths. When he was ready to appoint commissioners, he sent a memo to the party office through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the State, to nominate candidates for appointment.

“The memo contained a number of criteria, one of which is ‘nominee must possess cognate experience’. Though Gov Kefas did as promised, the youth demographic, I am afraid, is a far cry from even the Governor’s standard.

“No one in the whole of Taraba State can distinguish between official communication and social media posts by data boys. Everyone seems to be a government or branch of government. The Governor sits in the comfort of his sitting room or office and makes statements to the press and expects civil servants to carry out the “instructions” without official memo to minute on.

“A very good example is the implementation of minimum wage. As of the time of writing this, Taraba State workers have not been paid their October salary. The reason is that the Governor promised on media that minimum wage will be implemented by October. He did not communicate this officially to the right authorities.

“When it was time for salary, and vouchers were raised with the old salaries, he asked them to return it and ensure minimum wage is implemented or “heads will roll’’, a news, carried by these ‘media team’ to mean that the Governor meant business.

“Still, I stand to be corrected, this was without an official communication from the Governor to the right authorities.

“Governor Agbu Kefas has been in office for 5 months and 10 days today. He has not spent one whole week at a stretch in any part of Taraba State and has not spent more than one month combined in the State in the period stated. And he travels with a chartered plane.

“More than 50 percent of these travels are done with more than half the cabinet members – heads of ministries and key government offices, notably the Commissioner of Information and Finance, thereby crippling the administration of these offices.

“Credit to Governor Kefas. He organised a retreat in Abuja for the newly appointed commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and Directors, and other government functionaries, to get them up to speed. But as we write this, the people of Taraba State have lost count of the retreats that the commissioners and legislators have had. As a matter of fact, the commissioners have spent more time on retreat than they did in their offices since they were sworn-in in July.

“It is getting to the sixth month of this administration, and Tarabans still cannot state in clear terms what the policy directions of the Agbu’s government are all about. Months after the inauguration of the State cabinet, the commissioners have not been able to articulate and communicate in clear terms what their focus or any new reform that will kick-start the Taraba economy.

“The new ministries have not been able to come out and educate the citizens on what to expect or what reforms they intend to carry out. This has left us to wonder if at all, the governor has any plans for the State outside traveling all over the place. If these travels are for this very purpose, then there should be a clear picture of what will happen and how it will happen, and quickly too.”

Reacting to the allegations by the group, the Special adviser to the Governor on media and Digital Communication Hon Emmanuel Bello said "We read with disbelief a piece which recently appeared in some sections of the media. Entitled "Has Taraba missed it again?", it was a vicious and ferocious take down of the performing administration of Dr Agbu Kefas in Taraba state. It wasn't signed but it said it is the views of a mysterious and amorphous "Tarabans in Diaspora". 

This is laughable because this writer also knows many people who live abroad and look back home to see what's happening.  That view doesn't represent anyone I know of. In their very candid opinion, Taraba now has a governor who understands what the jobs requires. He has the character and composure too for a leader. 

"But back to the piece. The long write up could be summed up in one sentence: "the jaundiced submission of biased opponents". The attempt at critical analysis was dwarfed by the emotional outburst and unsubstantiated claims. When, for instance, the writer queried Governor Kefas trips to embassies based in Abuja, I instinctively knew this was penned in bad faith. People who live abroad should commend a governor who understands the global dimension to local development initiatives"

But let's try and go over some of the salient points raised: 

APPOINTMENTS 

The writers accused the governor of being slow to appoint Special Advisers and Board Members. They also queried his choice of young people as commissioners. It is comical to say this because the governor is getting serious commendations for injecting young people into government. He's getting praise for not allowing young people wait endlessly to become "leaders of tomorrow". I don't know of anyone against this move apart from the ghostly writer of the misleading piece. Kefas cabinet is a reflection of what is happening globally thesedays: the take over by the generation mostly affected by governance (youths). It's not just youths, women too have been given an opportunity and platform in a manner never done before in Taraba state. He should get props for these and not knocks. 

Above all, taking his time to pick the best shouldn't be criticized. What if he rushes the exercise and ends up having the wrong team? They would still blame him for rushing the process. Caution and careful selection should be seen as a good thing. 

FREE EDUCATION 

The petitioners are wondering how Governor Agbu Kefas would fund the free education policy of the Moving Forward agenda. They said in an era when school fees are being increased, Kefas is slashing fees. First and foremost, Kefas has been receiving glowing reviews all over the world for his passion for free education. Parents and students alike are grateful for the reduction in fees especially with tye current hardship.  In any case, Kefas also recognizes the challenges this gigantic project would be confronting. He is not living in denials. He tells everyone that it won't be easy but still doable. Right now, his energies are geared towards dealing with those hiccups in a policy that is loved by all. He has met with virtually all the stakeholders in the education sector so this wasn't jumped on anyone. As for funding, the governor believes that his efforts to tap into the solid mineral sectors and other revenue generating sectors will help fund the policy. He believes that international partners will also support the worthwhile move. He believes that it is better to start something than forever wait to the right time.

MEETING EMBASSIES

The accusations that Governor Kefas goes to embassies alot is, to me, the most pernicious take down of the piece. Let me hurriedly say these efforts are not social visits. Each one of those visits are anchored on particular needs of the state. The governor normally takes the relevant ministries along to interface with global leaders on the need for funding and other institutional supports. Some of the Foriegn partners are already in Taraba state doing some good works in the areas of construction, health, education, agriculture, others.  Many have also pledged their supports.  It is all for Taraba state. The meetings afford the partners to see upclose the seriousness and commitment of Governor Kefas. As we speak, many of those countries have signed up and are very willing to assist Taraba state in various areas. These include clear cut financial supports, capacity building, employment and growth generally.

WASTEFULNESS.

You probably can't find a more shrewd manager of resources than Governor Kefas.  His character as a person has cut off most of the rasmatazz and ostentatiousness of power. He eschews show offs and unnecessary luxury.  He hasn't changed abit from the lifestyle he was used to as a private citizen: modest, reticent and prudent. His aides are often times taken aback by his simplicity. Compare this with others who have invested in buying private jets and choppers, some not even in use today. Besides, none of the trips done with private jets or any other means of transportation are done for personal reasons. It's all for the good of our dear state. Actions should be measured by their motives.

NOT STAYING IN JALINGO. 

Again, the governor does not travel to see family and friends on those trips. He's not on a jamboree. The state and the citizenry are the direct beneficiaries of all the trips. What is more, these are tough times and both the Federal and State governments have to constantly work together.  Governor Kefas, who enjoys the confidence of the top hierarchy of his party and the Presidency, often gets called for functions. Meanwhile, with the right team in place, Governor Agbu Kefas, knows the state is in safe hands when he is out of town. This is like accusing a breadwinner of not being a homestayer. What shall anyone gain by having a Chief Executive who does not go out to do the needful- activities geared towards enriching the state? Of what use is just hanging in the state when collaborations, synergy, and other forms of interface with institutions will benefit us more? Moreover, modern technology has made it easy for Chief Executives to work from various places. Files can be treated from a distance. Meetings can be arranged.  Directives can be given. Monitoring too is made easy by the touch of a button. It is almost anachronistic to stay in one place all the time. 

ENDLESS RETREATS.

The retreats are not endless. There have been only two outside the state so far. No knowledge is wasted and seeking new lights is not wrong. The retreat held in Abuja, for example, for the newly sworn-in team at the Nigerian Army Resource Center, is still being talked about. It was as historic as it was exceptional.  Apart from capacity building, these trainings assist in placing the state in a position to attract funding.  It emphasizes the seriousness and focus Kefas places on expertise and efficiency.  No commissioner, for instance, can now say they haven't received the necessary tools for performance. 

MANAGERIAL SKILLS

How anyone can accuse Governor Agbu Kefas of not possessing the managerial skills to run the state beats my imagination. For the avoidance of doubt, Kefas comes to this job with over two decades of managing men and materials in even the theater of conflicts. A man who has headed federal government outfits such as NIMASA can not be said to be a learner in administrative matters. At the state level, he has been Chairman of the party before successfully running for office himself. His training in the Army and the Intelligence Corp he belongs to were all preparatory grounds for leadership.  

Governor Agbu Kefas is just in his fifth month as the helmsman. Those familiar with the history of his emergence and the dramas of the transition that produced him will appreciate better the steps he has so far taken to stabilize a very agitated state. They will appreciate further his efforts at restoring faith in governance by practically starting from scratch. He is re-molding a new Taraba state built on partnership, synergy, data, and modern technology. Some of this would take time for maturation and some of the benefits will become manifest with time. But what many have since agreed on is his sincerity of purpose, his focus, and his boundless energies as he pursues the Moving Forward agenda.