The Taraba State Government has dismissed concerns over the temporary accommodation of 100 postgraduate scholarship beneficiaries currently in Abuja for visa processing, describing the arrangement as a necessary cost-conscious measure ahead of their studies in India.

The State Ministry of Tertiary Education, in an open rejoinder issued on Monday, said the beneficiaries were in Abuja primarily to complete visa processing and other pre-departure arrangements.

The statement, signed by the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Kasimu Zakari, followed a recent publication raising concerns about the welfare and accommodation of the beneficiaries.

The Ministry said it was not contacted before the publication, stressing that many of the issues raised concerned administrative matters within its jurisdiction and could have been clarified if the Ministry had been given the opportunity to respond.

While acknowledging the right of citizens to demand accountability, the Ministry urged members of the public to base such concerns on verified information and adequate context.

According to the Ministry, the India scholarship scheme is the first international postgraduate scholarship programme of its scale undertaken by the Taraba State Government since the creation of the state in 1991.

It described the initiative as a major investment in human capital, aimed at producing professionals, academics and specialists capable of contributing to the development of the state.

On the accommodation concerns, the Ministry explained that the beneficiaries’ stay in Abuja was temporary and linked primarily to visa processing and other departure requirements.

It argued that providing individual hotel rooms for all 100 beneficiaries throughout the period would place additional financial pressure on the programme.

“The purpose of the Abuja arrangement is therefore not to provide luxury, but to facilitate the successful completion of the processes required for their departure to India,” the Ministry said.

The government, however, acknowledged that genuine welfare concerns should be addressed, urging beneficiaries to report specific issues involving accommodation, feeding, allowances, documentation, equipment or other aspects of the programme for verification and appropriate action.

The Ministry also rejected the description of the beneficiaries’ temporary accommodation as treating them like “refugees,” saying the characterization did not accurately reflect the purpose of the arrangement.

It maintained that the success of the programme should ultimately be measured by the advanced qualifications and specialised knowledge the beneficiaries acquire and subsequently deploy in the development of Taraba.

The Ministry further appealed to Tarabans to support initiatives focused on education and human capital development, irrespective of political differences.

“Where there are shortcomings, let them be identified constructively, investigated and corrected; where there are achievements, let them also be acknowledged,” it said.

It urged citizens to seek clarification from relevant authorities whenever concerns arise over government programmes, stressing that social media should complement, rather than replace, proper verification.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and the welfare of the beneficiaries, assuring that it would continue working to ensure that the 100 Tarabans successfully proceed to India, obtain advanced qualifications and return to contribute to the development of the state.