The Taraba State Transparency and Accountability Forum, a pro-democracy group based in Jalingo, has voiced its opposition to the deployment of security personnel to the Taraba Trade Fair Complex. This deployment aims to halt the ongoing construction of the Federal Secretariat in Jalingo, the state capital.
Sani Gambo, the Executive Director of the Forum, addressed journalists in Jalingo on Tuesday, asserting that the construction of the complex is vital for enhancing the Jalingo Urban Development Plan and providing office space for federal agencies in the state. Gambo urged Governor Agbu Kefas to address the political and administrative challenges impeding the project’s progress.
Gambo emphasized the years of neglect in awarding and constructing a Federal Secretariat Complex since Taraba’s establishment in 1991, stressing the importance of the project’s approval for the state’s development. He expressed disappointment over past crises that have hindered the project’s execution and stated that all necessary administrative procedures had been completed, with construction already underway.
The group highlighted the Federal Ministry of Housing’s compliance with requisite documentation, including allocation letters, survey plans, and express grant letters. They appealed to Governor Kefas to ensure the withdrawal of security personnel obstructing the project and to address internal obstacles hindering its realization.
It was observed that the contract, initially awarded for an 18-month duration starting on September 2, 2023, faced delays due to disputes between Taraba State and the Federal Government over land ownership. Originally designated for a Trade Fair Complex, the land was subsequently reallocated by the previous administration to the Federal Government, leading to contention and the deployment of security forces to the construction site.
