Speakers at the ongoing Taraba state appointees retreat holding in Abuja, have continued to commend Gov Agbu Kefas for his foresight in organizing the event. They predict that the induction course will provide a veritable platform for growth in the future.
Delivering his paper, Country Director of BudgIT, Mr. Gabriel Okeowo noted that Taraba state is at his lowest levers as far as the economy is concerned. He however commended the state government for investing in training its main policies makers.
He said the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is bound to increase given the new leadership. He however stressed that the new administration needs to investigate why the IGR are dwindling over the years.
Okeowo enjoined the state to make adequate use of technology in its effort to attract investors to the state by building a functional website.
According to him, Taraba state should use data in its planning for effective results.
Relatedly, Dr Peter Akpe, whose paper is titled “Understanding the Governance Landscape”, said Taraba state has done well to organize the training. He said the various lectures will fine tune the focus of office holders. He said output and results are bound to be better given the type of fresh perspective of the government. Akpe said all hands will have to be on deck for progress.
In her own submissions, Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs Didi Walson Jack, harped on synergy. She noted that government works better when all the sectors have a smooth working relationship. Using her personal experiences in the Civil Service, she discussed the relationship between the civil force and political leaders within the system. She said appointment must be based on merit rather political patronage.
