By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The Taraba State Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas has presented the 2026 Budget Appropriation to the House of Assembly to a total amount of Six Hundred and Fifty Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty One Million, Seven Hundred Thousand (N650, 631, 700,000)
The 2026 Budget tagged:
“2026 Demonstration, Development we can see”
The Governor reaffirm that Taraba Youths are the greatest strength in 2026, adding that they will not be observers, but rebuilders of roads, school drivers of agriculture under the Taraba Initiative for Farmland and Food Occupational digital inmovators, renewal energy technicians, sports entrepreneurs and leaders with strong values.
Governor Kefas gave the break down of the Budget as follows:
Capital Expenditure N457, 741, 601, 414 (70.36%)
Recurrent Expenditure
N192, 890, 098, 586 (29.64%) while
Project Revenue include, Opening Balance N2.14 billion , Internally generated revenue (IGR) N29.78 billion, Federation account allocation committee (FAAC), Statutory Allocation+VAT N376.16 billion, Aids and Grants N36.32 billion and Capital Development Fund (CDF) Receipts N206.24 billion.
“We will deepen digital revenue system, block leakages and expand revenue stream in agriculture, mining, property, business and tourism.
The Governor mentioned sectoral priorities for the year 2026 to include, Roads and Transport 19.84%, Education and Skills Development 15.98%, Health 6.19%, Agriculture and Food Security 4.83%, Water and Sanitation 3.19% and Security, Emergency and Protection 2.96%.
According to him, Energy and Electrification are new priority sectors.
“Energy is the backbone of development. Our 2026 focus include, Solar mini grids, hybrid rural electrification, street lighting for security, power for schools, hospitals, markets and agro- processing, preparatory works for small hydro power, green – energy jobs for youths.
He pointed out that the execution of the Budget will be through Budget War Room, with weekly monitoring hundred point evaluation metrics geo-tagg verification quarterly citizens scorecards.
“We are eliminating waste from the planing stage, not after money is spent.
He quoted scripture from both the Bible and the Qur’an saying,
“The Bible in Proverbs 14:23 says, In all labour there is profit: Meaning that Honestly brings real results. The Qur’an (53:39) teaches “And that man shall have nothing except what he strives for; Meaning that Progress only comes through effort. While that of African Wisdom says; When you plant the seed and tend it, the harvest will surely come; Meaning, Development is guaranteed when we work together and remain consistent.
“Together, let us continue building a Taraba that works for all – he said.
“If we work sincerely, Taraba will harvest visible development. In 2023, was vision, 2024, laid the foundation, 2025, expansion and 2026 is Demonstration (Development we can see) – he added.
In his response, the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena, assured the Governor of the House’s readiness to expedite the hearing and passage of the budget to sustain the state’s budget cycle and support ongoing development initiatives.
He commend Governor Abgu Kefas for his free education and security policies in the state. He further commend him for his infrastructural transformation.
“He has renovated many places such as schools, House of Assembly complex amongst others, completion of uncomplicated projects, payment of salaries to civil servants and gratuities to retired civil servants and support to the legislators.
“The Tenth Assembly identify with you, any where you go, we will go with you – he said.
He said that the political exigency has transform the state into a single party system.
“This means that all the Twenty Four members of the assembly are of All Progressive Congress APC. The decision was talking after consultation with our constituents.
“We promise to accelerate the passage of the bill within a shortest time frame for the development of the state – he added.