The Taraba State House of Assembly has approved a budget estimate of N653.5 billion for the 2026 fiscal year, barely three weeks after it was presented to the legislature by the state government.
Speaker of the House, John Bonzena, described the passage of the appropriation bill as a key constitutional duty of the Assembly and commended members of the Appropriations Committee for what he said was a detailed and diligent review of the proposal that led to the final figures.
Bonzena said the early approval of the budget would enable Governor Agbu Kefas to effectively deliver good governance and the dividends of democracy to residents of the state.
“With this passage, Taraba has become the first state in the country to pass its budget for the 2026 fiscal year. This clearly demonstrates the commitment of members of this House to the development of the state,” he said.
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The Speaker urged both standing and ad hoc committees to strengthen their oversight responsibilities to ensure proper implementation of the budget.
He also expressed concern over the repeated failure of some heads of ministries, departments and agencies to appear before the Assembly to defend their budget proposals.
Budget to Prioritise Infrastructure
Bonzena thanked the people of Taraba State for their continued support of the legislature and advised lawmakers to remain focused on effective representation despite public criticism.
The appropriation bill, christened “Development We Can See,” was initially presented by the governor at N650.63 billion about three weeks earlier.
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The approved budget allocates over N457 billion to capital expenditure, representing 70.36 per cent of the total outlay, while N192 billion, or 29.64 per cent, is earmarked for recurrent expenditure.
Governor Kefas had said during the budget presentation that the 2026 estimates were designed to drive measurable impact and visible transformation, with priority given to infrastructure development, particularly roads and transportation, as well as education and healthcare.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
