Taraba Assembly Approves N350 Billion Bonds Request for Developmental Projects

·       Ex Speaker Abel Diah Insists On Electricity For Central Zone

·       Gov. Kefas Awards Construction Of Namnai Bridge To Craneburg

Taraba State House of Assembly has approved Governor Agbu Kefas's request for a N350 billion Bonds facility. The Bonds, according to a letter dated March 24, 2025, from the governor to the assembly, will fund developmental activities, including construction projects in several local government areas and housing estates.

The letter, read by Speaker Rt Hon. John Kizito Bonzena, detailed the intended use of the substantial Bonds. The approval marks a significant step forward for the governor's planned infrastructural improvements.

However, during the plenary session, a former speaker and member representing Mbamnga Constituency Rt Hon. Abel Peter Diah raised a critical point. He urged the assembly to amend the 2025 budget to include the connection of the Central Zone of Taraba State to the national grid. 

He highlighted that, out of the 16 local government areas, only the Central Zone currently lacks access to electricity. 

He said this underscores the crucial need for consistent and reliable power provision across the state, potentially impacting the success of the governor's development projects.

The assembly's approval of the Bonds and the subsequent discussion on the critical need for electricity infrastructure in the Central Zone indicate a complex approach to development in Taraba State. 

Special Adviser to Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Communication and Strategy, Hon Emmanuel Bello in a statement said the N350 billion Bonds will allow for significant infrastructural improvements.

 

·        Gov. Kefas Awards Construction Of Namnai Bridge To Craneburg Construction Company

 

Meanwhile, Governor Agbu Kefas has awarded the contract for the construction of the Namnai Bridge to Craneburg Construction Company.

Commissioner Mosesh Luka revealed this while he took the representative of the company to the Namnai Bridge site.

He remarked that Governor Agbu Kefas, in his efforts to address the plights of commuters, directed the award of the contract.

Moseh revealed that the Namnai Bridge construction will gulf nineteen billion Naira noting that the State Government has secured approval from the Federal Government to embark on the construction work.

The Commissioner said the Bridge will be expanded from its current three span pillars to nine pillars to adequately avert any unforeseen circumstances.

Moseh Luka remarked that the choice of Craneburg Construction Company was based on antecedents in quality jobs and service delivery.

He said with the award today the company is to mobilize to the site to commence the work in earnest.

The Commissioner while appreciating the Governor for the giant stride, asked the host community to accord the contractor the needed support to carry out their work.

Responding, the representative of the Craneburg Construction Company, Romeo Hamad said they are ready to mobilize to the site just as directed by the Governor.

He pledged the resolve of the construction firm to do a quality job that would last the test of time.

Romeo Hamad revealed that a team of engineers will soon visit the Namnai Bridge to carry out a soil test to ensure that the construction work is done professionally.

The Representative of the Federal Ministry of Works, Ahmed Musa, Lauded the commitment of Governor Agbu Kefas to awarding the contract, saying they will ensure proper monitoring of the work for quality jobs.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner was also at the Kpantinapu Bridge site to supervise the ongoing rehabilitation work on the bridge.

He lamented that the damage caused on the bridge was a result of breaches by sand sellers, warning that anyone caught in the act near bridges would be dealt with.

The Commissioner applauded the Governor for approval to embark on the rehabilitation of the Kpantinapu and Specialist Hospital bridges.

He revealed that the rehabilitation work being done at the two bridges is by the workers from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

The Commissioner was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Hajiya Hadiza Bello Yero, and the Director of Civil Engineering, Engineer Lunsi Johnson.