PRP Chieftain Writes Gov Kefas, Says Jalingo Plunged Into Economic Distress

A chieftain of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Taraba state Engineer Idris Umar Tantano said the restriction on activities of tricycles to 8pm has further plunged Jalingo is into economic distress.

In an open letter to Governor Kefas Agbu, Engineer Idris Umar Tantano said there are more durable measures to combat the insecurities within the state capital and the state in general which will boost the economy at the same time.

"Instead of banning motor bike, why not restrict it to certain areas, duration and officially register them within the state capital. The registration will serve as a revenue to the government and a measure of checkmating will be criminals.

"Tricycles should be allowed to operate to 10:00 P.M. to boost the economic activities of the state capital, while security personnel should be well empowered to secure mostly flash and vulnerable points."

Engineer Idris Umar Tantano said when people retire early to their abode, the streets and roads becomes empty and vulnerable which gives criminals confidence to perpetrate heinous activities

"This act of banning motor bikes and restricting tricycles that you inherited had led to the dead of economic activities within Jalingo and Taraba State in general. As a retired experienced security personnel, a lot of small and medium size enterprises (SMSEs) crumbled. SMESEs are the backbone of any economy in the world. Setting up of functional Street lights within Jalingo is one measure," he added.

Engineer Idris Umar Tantano said there is an urgent need for Governor Kefas to diversify the Taraba economy to expand the private sector, stressing that a state where the public sector is the highest employer will always be in serious negative economic consequences.

"We need to erase this notion that whenever we talk about investment coming, we are always talking about public sector. No! Many investors do not have interest in dealing with the high-tension political lanes, but some of them want to invest in the friendly, quiet, and productive private sector. Revive the closed industries such as the flour mill in Jalingo, Taraba Sugar Company LTD, Lau etc. Modernize and lay out encouraging policies for the proposed industrial layout at Tashan Nyamu Village, Ardo-Kola L.G.A to woo investors to the state."

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OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY DR. AGBU KEFAS

I Congratulate you on your victory at the supreme court. I pray God give you divine wisdom to chart a new Course in our dear state. Prayers without Matching action is a futile venture.  I must bring your attention to issues bedeviling Taraba state. Your Score card is full of promises with very low percentage of implementation. Notwithstanding, the promises even without implementation are giving the Tarabians hope. Unlike your predecessor that chanted for the last eight year, ''give me piece and I will give you development''. But he ended giving us cucumber.

Recently, you gave a matching order that bans Okada and restrict Keke Napep to 8p.m. from 9p.m. This is putting cart before the horse. Jalingo is further plunged into economic distress. There is no City in the world that thrive without viable transportation system. A lot of small and medium size enterprises (SMSEs) crumbled. SMESEs are the backbone of any economy in the world. This act of banning motor bikes and restricting tricycles that you inherited had led to the dead of economic activities within Jalingo and Taraba State in general. As a retired experienced security personnel, there are more durable measures to combat the insecurities within the state capital and the state in general without which will boost the economy at the same time. Setting up of functional Street lights within Jalingo is one measure. I have read research papers on how increased street lightening helped to reduce crime in New York. Humans behave differently when they know they are being watched. Light, Camera influence action in real life too. But merely lightening up our streets and roads and placing CCTVS around our homes (which the public should be encouraged to set up cameras within their home) where they can be seen will make would be criminals re-consider their decisions. These things don't always stop crime; however, they can be very useful. In our situation the CCTVs doesn't help much after the crime because we haven't effectively intersected data collection on identity with crime solving. They could help in preventing crime though. Especially by criminals who may be known to us. Instead of banning motor bike, why not restrict it to certain areas, duration and officially register them within the state capital. The registration will serve as a revenue to the government and a measure of checkmating will be criminals. Tricycles should be allowed to operate to 10:00 P.M. to boost the economic activities of the state capital, while security personnel should be well empowered to secure mostly flash and vulnerable points. When people retire early to their abode, the streets and roads becomes empty and vulnerable which gives criminals confidence to perpetrate heinous activities. As an experienced retired but not tired security personnel, you know better well that enhancing local policing (Vigilante) would go a long way in salvaging the security threats in the state. A lot of sister states have succeeded in ameliorating the security challenges within their states, through improved local policing, for example the AMETUKUN in the southwest, KADVIS in Kaduna etc.
With regards to the educational revolution you embarked on, looking at it critically, it seams that you've not adopt scale of preference to it. Teachers' welfare and infrastructure should have been the top priority before free education. The free education should have come towards the end of your 4 years tenure which apart from positively impacting the state, it can be as part of your score card.

A state where the public sector is the highest employer will always be in serious negative economic consequences. You need to diversify the Taraba economy to expand the private sector. We need to erase this notion erase this notion that whenever we talk about investment coming, we are always talking about public sector. No! Many investors do not have interest in dealing with the high-tension political lanes, but some of them want to invest in the friendly, quiet, and productive private sector. Revive the closed industries such as the flour mill in Jalingo, Taraba Sugar Company LTD, Lau etc. Modernize and lay out encouraging policies for the proposed industrial layout at Tashan Nyamu Village, Ardo-Kola L.G.A to woo investors to the state.

Singed

Engineer Idris Umar Tantano.

Taraba state Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) Stakeholder