Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has declared a state of emergency on infrastructure and human services as the state struggles with serious challenges affecting public health, safety and overall development. The announcement was made public on Friday through a statement issued by the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
Governor Kefas said the state is facing deep problems in areas such as roads, water supply, education, healthcare and other key services that citizens depend on daily. According to the statement, the emergency declaration is meant to fast-track government action and allow for faster decision-making, quicker funding approval and better monitoring of ongoing projects.
To drive the intervention, the governor approved the establishment of a 24-month Emergency Implementation Committee (EIC). The committee will coordinate all emergency activities and ensure that the government’s plans are carried out effectively.
The committee will be chaired by Danladi Baido Tijos, a well-known administrator in the state. Members of the committee will come from major ministries and agencies that handle essential services.
According to the statement, these include the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Health, Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Commissioner for Basic Education, Commissioner for Water Resources, and Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security.
Others on the list are the Commissioner for Energy and Economic Development, Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Chairman of the State Planning Commission, State Auditor-General and the Director-General of the Bureau for Public Procurement.
The government said this broad membership will allow the committee to address the challenges from all angles. The team is expected to identify urgent needs, coordinate contractors, prepare progress reports, and advise the governor on critical decisions during the 24-month emergency period.
Taraba State, like many states in the North-East, has struggled for years with weak infrastructure and poor access to basic services. Many roads connecting rural communities are in bad shape, making it difficult to transport food, access markets or reach hospitals during emergencies.
Healthcare facilities in rural areas also face shortages of staff, medicine and equipment. Reports from civil society groups show that many communities still depend on unsafe water sources, especially during the dry season. Some schools lack enough teachers, classrooms, or learning materials, making it hard for children to learn effectively.
These problems have been worsened by security challenges in some parts of the state, especially along border communities and areas affected by farmer-herder conflicts. In many cases, development projects have stalled because contractors could not work safely or because funds were not released on time.
Governor Kefas, who took office in 2023, has repeatedly said his administration will focus on education, water supply, agriculture, and healthcare. The declaration of a state of emergency is seen as a major step to speed up these promises.
In a separate announcement, the state government also revealed a major administrative restructuring aimed at improving service delivery. The Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, said the governor approved the creation of new ministries and the renaming of existing ones to make them more effective.
One of the major changes is the transformation of the old Ministry of Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation into the new Ministry of Social Development and Human Services. According to the SSG, this move will allow the government to focus more on vulnerable groups, social welfare, community development, and poverty reduction programmes.
The government also created two new ministries:
Ministry of Nursery and Basic Education
Ministry of Secondary, Vocational and Skill Education
These changes show an effort to separate the education sector into levels, allowing each ministry to specialize and pay focused attention to early childhood education, secondary schools, vocational training and skills development.
This restructuring supports Governor Kefas’ earlier declaration of a state of emergency on education in 2023, which led to school reforms, fee reductions and mass teacher recruitment.
Another adjustment is the redesignation of the Ministry of Social Justice, which will now be known as the Ministry of Social Justice and Re-Integration. The expanded mandate suggests the government wants to pay more attention to peacebuilding, reintegration of displaced persons, and conflict resolution—areas that have become important due to communal clashes and displacement in parts of Taraba.
The emergency allows the government to cut down on bureaucratic delays that often slow down projects. Under emergency rules, the governor can approve projects faster, redirect funds where needed and monitor ministries more closely.
It also puts pressure on contractors to deliver projects on time. In previous years, some contractors abandoned projects halfway, forcing communities to wait longer for roads, water or schools to be completed.
Some residents of Jalingo and other towns in the state welcomed the declaration, saying they hope it will bring real improvements.
A trader in Jalingo, Mr. Bala Iliya, said the poor condition of rural roads affects prices of food in the city. “Farmers are suffering. If the roads are fixed, food will be cheaper,” he said.
A schoolteacher from Wukari, Mrs. Rachael Danladi, said the restructuring of education ministries shows the governor is serious. “If they focus on nursery and basic education, children will have a stronger foundation,” she stated.
However, some residents expressed concerns. A civil society activist, who did not wish to be named, said the government must ensure transparency throughout the emergency period. “A 24-month emergency means a lot of money will be spent. We need proper monitoring so that the funds are not wasted,” he warned.
The Emergency Implementation Committee is expected to begin work immediately. Many citizens will be watching to see how quickly the government responds, especially in areas such as road repairs, water supply, healthcare improvement and school development.
If the emergency is well-managed, it could bring major improvements to Taraba State and set a model for other states facing similar challenges. But if not handled properly, it could lead to more public frustration.
For now, Governor Kefas says the future depends on urgent action. According to the SSG’s statement, the government is ready to take bold steps “to protect public health, safety, and the welfare of all Taraba residents.”
