Taraba Governor Spends N2.4b On Govt House While Residents Face Water And Education Crisis

A budget review for the first half of 2025 shows that the Taraba State government, under Governor Kefas Agbu, spent N2.4 billion on renovating the Government House in Jalingo and state lodges between January and June this year.

Sponsored Ads

Most of the money, N1.919 billion, was spent in the second quarter alone.

LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT

The spending comes on top of N855 million already used for the same purpose between January and September 2024, bringing the total cost of renovations over the two periods to N3.2 billion.

LIST OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGULARISATION OF AREA COUNCIL LAND DOCUMENTS NULLIFIED/CANCELLED BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT

Figures from the state’s budget performance report reveal that the N2.4 billion spent in the first half of 2025 represents 25% of the state’s internally generated revenue of N9.6 billion for the same period.

In contrast, key public services received far less funding. The State Universal Basic Education Board got N435 million, the Primary Healthcare Development Agency received N586 million, and the Taraba State Specialist Hospital recorded N988.3 million in expenditure. Spending on the Taraba State Polytechnic, Suntai, was N1.3 billion, while the College of Education, Zing, got N1.8 billion. Taraba State University’s capital expenditure stood at just N88.7 million.

The state’s challenges remain severe. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that 86% of households in Taraba lack access to clean drinking water, 83% are without proper sanitation, and nearly half of the state’s children are out of school. Despite these conditions, the government’s renovation projects have continued to receive more funds than many critical sectors.