Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the safety and welfare of residents, warning individuals who organise violence, sponsor criminal activities or exploit communal differences to cause unrest that they would face the law.
Kefas stated this on Thursday in a statewide broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The governor, who also announced the exercise of the prerogative of mercy for 24 inmates whose cases had been reviewed, said the decision was made pursuant to Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, following consultations with the Taraba State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
“The decision was guided by the law, the interests of justice, evidence of rehabilitation and humanitarian considerations,” Kefas said.
“I urged the beneficiaries to use the opportunity responsibly, obey the law, live peacefully and contribute positively to their families and communities,”, the governor added.
On the state’s finances, the governor said his administration inherited debts and other financial obligations, which it had continued to service alongside salaries, pensions, security, public services and ongoing development projects.
He acknowledged that the government had accessed lawful financing facilities where necessary but stressed that such financing must be affordable, transparent and used productively.
Kefas directed relevant financial authorities to prepare an accessible and reconciled statement of the state’s verified debt position, inherited obligations, approved and drawn financing, repayments, debt-servicing requirements and projects financed.
“My administration will continue to reduce existing obligations, increase internally generated revenue and expand the productive economy without imposing unreasonable taxes on poor citizens,” Kefas assured.
On electricity development, Kefas congratulated President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government on Nigeria’s victory in the international arbitration concerning the proposed Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project.
He said Taraba was ready to cooperate with the Federal Government to advance the project while ensuring adequate protection for host communities and the environment.
The governor, however, directed the Taraba State Electricity Commission and other relevant institutions to identify opportunities for small- and medium-scale hydropower, solar energy and other electricity-generation projects across the state.