Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, has refuted recent allegations of financial mismanagement and misappropriation.

Taraba State Commissioner for Information and Reorientation, Zainab Usman, in a statement, said the allegation were “unverifiable, misleading, and defamatory.”

Usman highlighted significant progress in security, stating that “under Governor Kefas, Taraba State has become one of the safest states in Nigeria.”

Once plagued by insecurity, including banditry within Jalingo, Usman said the government has bolstered security efforts by providing patrol vehicles, logistics support, and intelligence resources for security agencies.

These measures, the government noted, have led to a drastic reduction in crime and restored confidence among residents and investors.

The commissioner also dismissed claims that the state was bankrupt, citing a significant improvement in internally generated revenue (IGR).

According to Usman, the IGR has risen from N700 million at the start of the administration to over N2 billion by December 2024.

Usman noted that the implementation of N70,000 new minimum wage was a proof of the state’s financial stability.

The commissioner countered claims that no projects have been executed, listing several completed and ongoing infrastructure projects.

Usman dismissed the claims of alleged misappropriation of N100 billion as “outright falsehoods with no factual basis”, clarifying “that rather than diverting funds, the administration has been servicing inherited loans while simultaneously executing major infrastructural projects.”