Kefas‘ Massive Road Construction Drive

In fulfilment of the promises made to the people of Taraba State, Governor Agbu Kefas has launched a massive construction of road project across the state. The initiative is set to redefine infrastructure and open up rural communities.

Although Governor Kefas has accorded priority to security, education, agriculture among other critical  sectors, the state of infrastructure in the state was, until now in a complete decay, with poor roads network linking communities.

It appears successive governments in the state placed little emphasis on road construction consequent upon which virtually every local government is faced with the challenge of good roads.

Disturbed with the state of things and determined to change it for good, on the 23rd of September, 2025 while having a separate town hall meeting with stakeholders from the Southern, Central and Northern Senatorial Zones of the state, Governor Kefas surprised Tarabians and separately announced his plan to commence massive infrastructural development at the onset of the dry season.

The people couldn‘t believe it when Governor Kefas announced his plans, because over time, even before his administration, there were several promises made that never came through. Promises that were never implemented or see the light of the day.

During the meetings, Governor Kefas expressed worried that the lack of Master‘s plan for the State made it difficult for him to do anything meaningful for the people, which greatly delayed his development plans.

According to the governor, he was a deliberate person and prefers to do things that will stand the test of time, not a shabby and unrealistic project that will deprive the people of the taste of democratic dividends.

It is no doubt that, Governor Kefas on assumption, firstly focused on security, knowing that without peace, there can‘t be any meaningful progress and in education, with the understanding that education is the bedrock of every society, a legacy needed to bequeath to generations coming. He reel out plans and tackled them head-on.

Today, if you go round the state, due to the free and compulsory education policy, the state was able to mop up the children from the streets, thereby increasing school enrollment by 80%. Additionally, new schools are built, while the deteriorated structures were renovated in an effort to improve infrastructure on the existing schools across the state.

His desire to see the state progressing, especially urban towns necessitated the conception and design of a new master plan for the state, which the state government now holds on to commence work.

It is not out of place to assert that, with Governor Kefas as the unifier of the state‘s ethnic nationalities, a pace setter for development, Tarana state is a work in progress, which subsequent administration will find it convinced to build on the foundation.

The governor who understood the importance of continuity in governance, wasted no time in mobilizing contractors to sites, to complete road projects abandoned by previous administrations, while some others were awarded for construction. This, no doubt marks the beginning of the massive infrastructure revolution as promised by Governor Agbu Kefas. For instance, the Mararaba–Baissa–Abong Road, divided into three lots of 28 kilometres each and awarded respectively to CGC Nigeria Limited, CCECC Nigeria Limited, and China Zhanghao. Already, the sum of N5 billion has been released per lot.

This axis which represents one of the most viable areas in producing a variety of cash crops, is indeed strategic in the state economic growth. Unfortunately, the areas have suffered a significant neglect, as this project is intended to open up Baissa’s vast agricultural belt, improve logistics for trade, and reduce travel time for rural populations, who have endured years of limited access to market hubs.

The same principle of balanced development applies to the 35km Pamanga–Dakka Road awarded at N5 billion, the 20km Mararaba–Yorro–PantisAwa Road N5 billion, the 24km Yerima–Gassol Road N5 billion, and the 35km Wukari–Kente–Chinkai Road N5 billion. Each of these routes connects food productive communities to the state’s commercial centres. The 12km Takum–Ussa Road N1 billion represents another deliberate intervention to improve mobility in the southern corridor.

In addition, the Governor approved N1.9 billion for palliative repairs and township upgrades, covering pothole rehabilitation along the Wukari–Tella–Mutum Biyu and Bali–Mararaba/Baissa roads, as well as improvements of township roads in Jalingo and Wukari towns. This effort was aimed at ensuring, as the project is going on nothing obstructs movements, businesses and commercial activities of residents

The signing of the aforementioned contract agreements, took place at the office of the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Development, Hon. Moseh Luka, in Jalingo, marks another milestone in Governor Agbu Kefas’s drive to expand infrastructure and improve transportation across the state.

Hon. Luka explained that, the road projects form part of Governor Kefas’s strategic development initiative, aimed at addressing transportation challenges and boosting economic activities within the southern zone of the state.

He said, the signing of the contract demonstrates the governor’s resilience and commitment to fulfilling promises made to the people of Taraba State.

On his part, the Chairman of Moulds Construction Nigeria Limited, Engr. Samuel Oyatemi, pledged to deliver quality work in line with the contract specifications.

The Deputy speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Hamman Adama Ibinlla, who is representing Bali 1 state constituency at the house recently disclosed that, governor Kefas, released the sum of N15 billion for the construction of Bali General Hospital, completion of Bali Dakka Pamanga Road and the Government lodge.

He added that, the governor has done well for the people of Bali, and stressed that he has touched every nook and cranny of the state.

“Our road linking Pamanga – Dakka was abandoned for years, but within a short time of his administration, he graciously approved fifteen billion for the completion of the road, construction of our General Hospital and government lodge he said.

He hinted that, the Governor deserves a second term for prioritizing road construction, adding that his administration brought insecurity, kidnapping among others to its knees.

“As of three years ago, you dare not pass through Dakka Pamang Road, kidnapping was everywhere, people were afraid of being killed or kidnapped. But today, he brought both the kidnapping and the farmers herders crisis to an end. ” he added,

“Governor Kefas has performed above average within the present circumstances and we as representatives of the people are happy” he stressed.

A second class chief of Dakka, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ali Yusuf Ganwari, who corroborated his views to that of the commissioner and deputy speaker, thanked Governor Kefas for releasing funds to contractors to resume work on the Pamanga-Dakka road.

„This road project is everything to us here, because with this road, every development can come to our community.

„We have nothing to say rather than to thank Almighty Allah for giving us Dr Agbu Kefas as Governor of Taraba state, we pray to God to guide and protect him as he takes upon himself to genuinely serve us people“ the royal father added.

He stressed that Tarabians have seen what the governor had done at this first tenure of his administration, nothing that he deserved to be reelected for another term.

On his part, the council chairman of Kurmi Local Government Areas of Taraba State, Hon Moses Maihankali lauded governor Kefas Agbu for mobilising contractors back to Kurmi road.

He noted that the top most priority of the good people of Kurmi is the road project, adding that a good road network would create windows for businesses to strive.

„When you look at Kurmi LGA, you see that the place has a lot of abundance of natural resources, Kurmi is the third richest Local Government and fourth largest in Nigeria by landmarks.

„We are indeed very happy with governor Agbu Kefas to have listened to us as people by addressing the very issue that affects us most in this Local Government,“ he said.

He hinted that, the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas has performed very well and the people of Kurmi local government have scored him high.

„The governor has shown us love, he gave us numerous appointments and addressed security issues among others in Taraba state.

„If someone has done well, the only thing you will do is to say ‚thank you‘ to that person, we as people who appreciate good gestures will reward him in 2027 by voting for him massively. Our blog votes belong to him“ the chairman said.

In the same vein, a motorist along Wukari-Chenkai road, Samaila Zailanib commended Governor Kefas for awarding the construction of the road.

Zailani, who described as a great relief the award of the contract and the groundbreaking for the construction of the Wukari-Chinkai road abandoned over 20 years.

He noted that, commuters and motorists can now heave a sigh of relief with the award for the construction of the road.

„We appreciate governor Kefas Agbu, that after many years of negligence, the governor finally awarded this road to ease our suffering,“ he added.

Thousands of Tarabians have at different levels congratulated Governor Kefas over his numerous achievements within two years of his administration.

Journalists who toured round the ongoing road projects across the state, alongside government officials, observed the interventions is not only the state‘s scale, but a strategy by engaging multiple reputable construction firms, which distinguished the administration on the path of progress, for spreading both responsibility and efficiency.

Key political pundits, who have been following trends of events with keen interest, called on other states of the federation to emulate governor Kefas‘s style of leadership, if they must achieve the desired dividend of democracy to their respective states.

They agued that, the release of funds reflects a transparent financing approach that guarantees continuity and accountability, that each project is designed to feed into a broader development architecture, where improved access will stimulate local production, attract private investment, and strengthen inter-community trade.

They believed that, Kefas‘s achievements went beyond the decongestion of water, and described him as a man of proven integrity, who has made Tarabians proud.

There is no denying the fact that governor Kefas is a rare breed politician, patriot and a true democrat, whose efforts and strategies are changing the infrastructure narrative in Tarana State.