From Godwin Agia, Jalingo
Residents of Taraba state on Tuesday alleged that governor Agbu Kefas alongside few stakeholders in the state have perfected plans to divert the €25 million European Investment Bank loan secure for the construction of 500-kilometre roads across the state
Peoplesdaily reports that the Minister of finance Mr. Wale Edun had recently, on behalf of Taraba, Benue, Edo, Anambra, Borno and Cross River state, signed a 30 years agreement loan of 150 million euros with the European Investment Bank to construct 500 kilometer roads in the six state.
According to the minister, the money which is to be disburse to states account within June 2024, the six state are to get €25 million each, and is strictly for roads construction especially rural roads.
Meanwhile, residents of the state have raised the alarm that while other states have finished the kilometer mapping of the roads to commence work as soon as the money is disburse, no single kilometer has been map, while some credible sources have informed that plans have been perfected to divert the funds.
Mr. Ambita Ezra, Musa John Adi and Titus Habu Kona, told correspondent that sources have reviewed that governor Kefas and few stakeholders have perfected plans to share 70 per cent of the money and use 30 per cent for the 85 per cent completion roads left by former governor Darius Ishaku in Yorro, Bali, Gassol and Donga local governments.
“Why we are beginning to agree with reports that governor Agbu Kefas and few stakeholders are planning to divert the €25 million euros by the European Investment Bank for Taraba to construct 500 kilometer roads across the state is that, while the other five states who have also secure the loan alongside Taraba, have finished the roads kilometer mapping and have made it public for citizens to be aware of the development, while governor Kefas has not disclose the development to citizens, and no single kilometer has been map in respect to that.”
