GOVERNOR DR. AGBU KEFAS: REDEFINING CONTINUITY AND TRANSFORMATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN TARABA STATE

GOVERNOR DR. AGBU KEFAS: REDEFINING CONTINUITY AND TRANSFORMATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN TARABA STATE

By QS. Tusse Aondona Suleiman, Quantity Surveyor
betewinw.com
In my twenty years as a Quantity Surveyor, I have worked across many states in Nigeria, witnessing projects worth trillions of naira abandoned at the change of government. Continuity has often been the missing link in Nigeria’s development story. Yet, Taraba State, under the leadership of Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas is breaking this trend and showing the nation, that governance can indeed be done differently.

For the first time, Taraba has a governor who has deliberately placed the interest of the people above personal or political gain. Dr. Kefas has embraced projects inherited from past administrations, treating them not as political baggage but as building blocks for a stronger, more prosperous state. This decision to continue and complete existing projects sets him apart in a country where too many leaders prefer to start afresh for the sake of political
credit.

The contrast with the immediate past administration is striking. Despite being led by an architect, one might have expected Taraba to benefit from a visionary masterplan that could position the state on the global stage. Instead, that opportunity was missed. Today, Governor Kefas, with the discipline and foresight of his military background, has charted a masterplan for the future of Taraba and is implementing it with visible, measurable results.

Key Achievements So Far

Danbaba Suntai Airport – Now Completed

One of the clearest demonstrations of Governor Kefas’s results-driven leadership is the successful completion of the Danbaba Suntai Airport upgrade in Jalingo.

Outcome: The airport, previously closed by FAAN for safety concerns, is now fully operational, with commercial flights already resumed.

Impact: This has restored Taraba’s air connectivity, boosted trade, tourism, and investment confidence, and positioned the state once again on Nigeria’s aviation map.
Sixty Schools Across 16 LGAs – Ongoing on Fast Track
Education is the cornerstone of sustainable development, and Governor Kefas has prioritized it with the construction of 60 modern schools across all 16 LGAs.

Each school is designed with its own power source and modern facilities.
A six-month construction timeline is being pursued, supported by 45 Hydraform block-making machines for durability and cost efficiency.
This initiative complements the governor’s free and compulsory education policy, which includes free uniforms, books, shoes, and other learning materials.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has hailed this as a landmark in Taraba’s educational history.
A Comprehensive Development Masterplan – First Since 1991

For the first time since the creation of Taraba State, a formal development masterplan has been launched under Dr. Kefas. After extensive consultations, the masterplan now provides a clear roadmap for infrastructure, energy, economic planning, and land use. The government has also signed an MoU with CCECC to support its implementation.

Road Infrastructure – Connecting Communities
The Governor is leading the rehabilitation and new construction of key roads across the state. These roads are critical for farmers, traders, and commuters, improving access to markets and reducing transportation costs.

TY Danjuma House Upgrade: Restoring one of the state’s most important assets to reflect the pride and dignity of Taraba people.
School of Nursing and Midwifery Development: Expanding capacity in healthcare education and ensuring Taraba can produce the professionals needed for a stronger health sector.

Greenhouse Farming Projects: A bold step into modern agriculture, improving food security and opening new opportunities for agribusiness.
Modern Market Projects: Strengthening local commerce, boosting revenue, and creating economic opportunities for ordinary citizens.
And these are only a few examples among the numerous projects that are either completed or ongoing.

Why This Matters

From a professional perspective, what Governor Kefas is doing is not only visionary but also pragmatic:
Completed, not abandoned– The airport project proves continuity is possible and beneficial.
Efficient delivery– Standardized designs and Hydraform technology reduce costs while ensuring quality.
Strategic planning – The masterplan aligns current projects with long-term growth.
Social impact – Investments in education, aviation, and roads etc have immediate and lasting benefits for the people.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, critics such as Omoyele Sowore have attempted to downplay these achievements, sometimes without understanding the basic distinction between federal and state responsibilities. Such misplaced criticism cannot erase the reality on the ground: Taraba is rising.

What impresses me most is not merely the number of projects Governor Dr Agbu Kefas has initiated, but how they are being executed: with inherited projects completed, new ones accelerated, and all aligned with a broader masterplan. The completed airport upgrade, to the 60 schools underway, and the statewide development roadmap demonstrate that Taraba finally has a government that values continuity, embraces discipline, and delivers results.

Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas is proving to Nigeria and the world that leadership rooted in vision and accountability can transform a state in record time. With vision, integrity, and courage, Taraba is not just catching up—it is becoming a beacon of progress for Nigeria.