‘Where we fail, tell us’ – Kefas urges Taraba residents, media, civil society
Governor Calls for Enhanced Scrutiny of Government Operations
JALINGO, Taraba State – During a press conference on Thursday, Governor Agbu Kefas emphasized the importance of accountability in government, urging the media, civil society organizations, citizens, and opposition parties to closely examine government actions. The governor’s comments were part of the events marking the 35th anniversary of Taraba State.
“Government should not fear scrutiny,” said Kefas. “The media must ask questions. Civil society must ask questions. Citizens must ask questions. The opposition has a constitutional responsibility to question government.” His remarks highlight the role of public inquiry as a vital aspect of democratic governance.
Kefas acknowledged the progress made since the state’s creation, but he also pointed out that significant challenges persist. He noted that neither past nor current administrations could claim to have resolved all the issues facing the population.
The governor identified several key areas needing ongoing government attention: road infrastructure, access to potable water, electricity access, education, healthcare, employment, and security. “There are roads requiring completion. There are communities still waiting for reliable water. There are places requiring electricity. Some schools and hospitals require further attention,” he stated.
Highlighting the economic difficulties faced by families and ongoing security concerns, Kefas acknowledged that governments make mistakes but underscored the need for prompt corrective action. “Projects may encounter delays. Where that happens, we must identify the cause and push implementation,” he said.
Kefas referenced the challenges his administration inherited upon taking office in 2023 but stressed that these challenges should not serve as justifications for underperformance. “Whatever we inherited cannot remain an excuse for failure. It is a challenge to give our people a better direction,” he asserted.
He explained his administration’s focus on strengthening systems and institutions, aiming to create robust frameworks for accelerated and measurable development across the state. “We are building systems. We are building institutions. We are developing frameworks,” he said, emphasizing the necessity for effective execution in the next phase of governance.
The governor further encouraged citizens to engage in constructive scrutiny of government spending and projects to ensure accountability among public officials. He urged critics to base their evaluations on factual information rather than assumptions, stating, “But criticism is most useful when it is based on facts.”
Kefas called on residents to visit government project sites, engage with local communities, and assess the available evidence before forming judgments about his administration’s performance. “Government also has a responsibility to provide information. So I encourage our people to visit the projects. Speak to communities. Examine the evidence,” he remarked.
Finally, he urged citizens to recognize areas of government success, identify failures, and propose constructive improvements. “Where we succeed, acknowledge it; where we fail, tell us. Where something can be improved, propose a better way. That is how democracy becomes useful to society,” he concluded.
