Resource persons at the ongoing retreat for political appointees in Taraba State holding in Abuja, have commended state governor, Agbu Kefas, for his foresight in organising the event.
They predicted that the induction course for the State Government’s appointees will provide a veritable platform for growth and development in the future.
Delivering his paper, Country Director of BudgIT, Mr. Gabriel Okeowo, noted that Taraba was at its lowest levers as far as the economy is concerned. He, however, commended the state government for investing in training its main policy makers.
He said the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was bound to increase given the new leadership at the helm of affairs.
Okeowo, however, stressed that the new administration needed to investigate why the IGR was dwindling over the years.
He enjoined the state government to make adequate use of technology in its effort to attract investors to the state by building a functional website.
According to him, Taraba State should use data in its planning for effective results.
Also speaking, Dr Peter Akpe, whose paper was titled “Understanding the Governance Landscape”, said Taraba State has done well to organise the training.
He said the various lectures lined up at the retreat will fine-tune the focus of office-holders.
Akpe noted that output and results were bound to be better given the type of fresh perspectives of the government, adding all hands will have to be on deck for progress.
In her own submissions, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, harped on synergy.
She noted that government works better when all the sectors have a smooth working relationship. Using her personal experience in the Civil Service, she discussed the relationship between the civil force and political leaders within the system, saying that appointments must be based on merit rather political patronage.
