From Ben Adaji, Jalingo
Taraba State governor, Agbu Kefas, has presented the N650 billion 2026 budget to the House of Assembly, tagging it ‘Budget of Demonstration’.
It would be recalled that Kefas presented N574 billion budget in 2025.
While N396 was allocated as capital expenditure, N178 billion went for recurrent expenditure.
The governor, who made the presentation at the Assembly Chambers in Jalingo, promised a bold drive for infrastructure, energy expansion and social development across the state.
He said N457.74 billion (70.6%) of the budget would go into capital projects, while N192.89 billion (29.64%) has been earmarked for recurrent expenditure.
The governor stated that the budget would be funded through a mix of Federation Account Allocation Commission, FAAC, Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, aids and grants, and capital development receipts.
He expressed the determination of government to expand digital revenue systems and new streams in agriculture, mining, property, business and tourism.
On sectoral priorities, Kefas said the proposed budget would give premium on; roads and transport (19.84%) , education and skill development (15.98%),
healthcare ( 6.19%),
agriculture and food security (4.83%), water and sanitation (3.19%).
The proposed budget prioritises are:
Roads and transport: 19.84%.
Education and skill development: 15.98%.
Healthcare: 6.19%.
Agriculture and food security: 4.83%.
Water and sanitation: 3.19%.
Security and emergency services: 2.96%.
Governor Kefas described energy as the backbone of development, pledging investment in solar mini-grids, hybrid rural electrification, street lighting, and power for schools, hospitals, markets and agro-processing centres.
He said the 2026 budget was designed to fast-track Taraba’s development and improve the welfare of its residents.
