TARABA STATE GOVERNMENT UNDER FIRE OVER GOVERNOR KEFAS’S FOREIGN TRIP
A recent article by Emmanuel Bello, Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications, to Governor Agbu Kefas has sparked a heated debate over the governor’s foreign trips. Bello’s piece, titled “Kefas Foreign Trips: What Some People Are Missing,” defends the governor’s travels as strategic efforts to promote Taraba State’s interests globally.
However, Comrade Japhet Kwabche, a concerned citizen, has posed 10 critical questions to Hon. Emmanuel Bello, challenging the governor’s foreign trips. Kwabche demands clarity on the outcomes of these trips and their impact on Taraba State.
Governor Kefas’s foreign trips have been a subject of controversy, with many criticizing the costs and perceived lack of tangible results. Bello argues that these trips are crucial for opening up the state to investors, restoring confidence in its leadership, and connecting it to the rest of the world.
Comrade Japhet Kwabche
Bello emphasizes that Governor Kefas’s foreign trips are not merely expensive junkets but rather strategic efforts to promote Taraba State’s interests globally. He highlights the governor’s ability to market the state’s brand, showcasing its potential in solid minerals, tourism, agriculture, and other sectors.
According to Bello, the results of these trips are already evident, with Taraba State gaining international exposure, friendships around the world, global connections in businesses and investment, and lasting links that will outlive the Kefas administration.
Some notable achievements from Governor Kefas’s foreign engagements include:
1. Introduction of hydrofoam block-making technology: Following a trip to South Africa, Governor Kefas introduced hydrofoam block-making technology in Jalingo, which has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry in Taraba State.
2. Collaborations with international partners: Governor Kefas has established collaborations with countries like Finland, the Czech Republic, and China, leading to substantial investments in education, agriculture, aviation, and road construction
3. Investments in education: Governor Kefas has secured investments in education, including the establishment of a university in Taraba State, which will provide opportunities for students to access quality education.
4. Agricultural development: Governor Kefas has also secured investments in agriculture, including the establishment of a farm in Taraba State, which will provide employment opportunities for youths and boost food production.
Comrade Kwabche’s 10 questions to Hon. Emmanuel Bello includes:
1. Where are the concrete investments?: Can the government provide a list of specific projects or signed agreements that have resulted from these trips?
2. What is the cost-benefit analysis?: How much has the state spent on these foreign trips, and what measurable economic benefits have they brought?
3. Why hasn’t Taraba seen visible infrastructural or economic transformation?: If these trips were truly impactful, why are we not seeing new factories, industries, or job opportunities created through foreign partnerships?
4. Why does the governor prioritize international travel over pressing local issues?: With ongoing security crises, unpaid salaries, and a lack of basic infrastructure, shouldn’t local governance take precedence?
5. If Kefas is such an effective ‘salesman,’ why are investors not rushing to Taraba?: Since he has travelled extensively marketing the state, why are foreign investors still hesitant to commit
6. Can the administration point to any direct foreign investment secured due to these travels?: Aside from photo opportunities and diplomatic meetings, what businesses or industries have officially started operations in Taraba because of these trips
7. How do these trips benefit the ordinary Taraban?: What direct impact have they had on employment, education, healthcare, or agriculture in the state?
8. Why is there no transparency regarding these trips?: Can the government publish detailed reports on expenditures, delegations, and signed agreements?
9. If the Federation Account allocation is drying up, why waste resources on frequent trips?: Shouldn’t the government focus on maximizing internal revenue and supporting local businesses instead?
10. Why is the government defensive about criticism?: If the trips are truly beneficial, shouldn’t the results speak for themselves rather than relying on PR articles to justify them?
As the debate surrounding Governor Kefas’s foreign trips continues, it is essential for the Taraba State Government to provide transparency and accountability. By addressing the concerns raised by Comrade Kwabche and other citizens, the government can demonstrate its commitment to promoting the state’s development and interests.
Ultimately, the success of Governor Kefas’s foreign trips will be measured by the tangible benefits they bring to Taraba State and its citizens. As the government continues to defend these trips, it is crucial that they provide concrete evidence of their impact
