Kefas declares state of emergency on infrastructure, human services

Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has declared a state of emergency on infrastructural development and human services, citing growing challenges that pose risks to public health, safety, and general welfare.

The declaration, according to a statement made public on Friday by the office of the Secretary to the State Government, is geared towards fast-tracking interventions needed to improve critical sectors across the state.

To drive the emergency response, the governor also approved the establishment of a 24-month Emergency Implementation Committee (EIC), mandated to coordinate and oversee all measures taken during the period of the emergency.

According to the announcement, the committee will be chaired by Danladi Baido Tijos, with membership drawn from key ministries and state agencies.

The list included ministries and state agencies, such as the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner of Health, Commissioner of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Commissioner of Basic Education,, Commissioner of Water Resources, Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security.

Others are Commissioner of Energy and Economic Development, Commissioner of Environment and Climate Change, Commissioner of Works & Infrastructure, Chairman, State Planning Commission, State Auditor-General, and Director-General, Bureau for Public Procurement.

In another development, the state government has also announced the creation and redesignation of several ministries as part of an ongoing administrative restructuring approved by the governor.

According to a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, the adjustments include both the establishment of new ministries and the renaming of existing ones to better reflect their mandates.

The changes are the Ministry of Social Development and Human Service, which will now replace the former Ministry of Cooperatives & Poverty Alleviation.

While two new ministries- Ministry of Nursery and Basic Education, and the Ministry of Secondary, Vocational and Skill Education have been created.

The Ministry of Social Justice, according to the statement, will now be replaced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Re-Integration.