Taraba residents chide petition against Gov Kefas’ loan request
By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
Residents of Taraba State on Wednesday, expressed that the petition against Governor Agbu Kefas, over the 206bn loan request by one Abdullahi Usman was a clear indication that the petitioner was an enemy of Taraba.
Our correspondent reports that one Mr Abdulahi Usman, has petitioned governor Kefas before President Bola Tinubu, and the acting governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, requesting the apex Bank to stop Zenith Bank PLC, United Bank for Africa UBA, Keystone Bank PLC and Fidelity Bank PLC, from granting a 206bn loan facility to governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba.
The petitioner based his petition on the ground that governor Kefas is still battling with election petition before the election tribunal and may be sacked. The petitioner also claimed that Taraba State was already indebted and has no capacity to pay back 206bn within four years as assured by the governor.
Mr Jacob Akwe, Yusuf Babangida and Fidelis Kwaghkaha while reacting, both expressed that the petitioner lacked moral ground to petition the governor before the CBN, requesting the blockage of the 206bn loan facility that is clearly spelled on how it can be use and the repayments strategies.
The residents said, all well meaning citizens of Taraba were satisfied and encouraged by the governor’s idea, since it was for the best interest of the state.
“We wonder while some people have chosen to be enemies of development. We are particularly concerned about the petition by one Abdullahi Usman, asking the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to stop commercial Banks from granting the loan facility of 206bn to governor Agbu Kefas.
“This is a clear indication that this particular person is an enemy of Taraba because, both the usage and the repayment strategies of the loan as explained by governor Kefas is for the best interest and development of Taraba state since the state is lacking behind in many sectors,” they challenged.
Meanwhile, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, Special Adviser to Governor Kefas on Media and Digital Communication, while reacting in a press statement said, due to the honest nature of the governor, well meaning state citizen and even the opposition parties were in total agreement that Dr Agbu Kefas can be trusted with the future of Taraba, especially its fiscal fortunes and the clear determination of the governor to usher in a new era.
Bello wondered why the faceless Usman would query a request that is developmentally portrayed and transformationally driven to boost development of Taraba and place the state among contending Nigerian state in all sectors of development.
The special Adviser explained that, all experts are of the agreement that loans were right, especially if they meet the purpose for which they are collected.
“No one is annoyed with loans if they will raise the bar and transform communities. No one is against loans, if they will address needs and prioritize progress. Loans are actually applauded if they can be accounted for and prudently spent.
“The Kefas loans as been tagged, have been adjudged to be the most vibrant, and laudable in the dispensation of loans. Not just because they went through the right process but also because they are clear and concise in their purpose. governor Kefas is focused on delivering on all his campaign promises,” Bello reacted.
