Why more investors are trooping to Taraba state

Emmanuel Bello With a brilliant blueprint for development, an emerging class of entrepreneurs, and a serious leadership at the helm, Taraba state is becoming more investors friendly. Top-level Nigerians and foreigners keep trooping to the state as if the proverbial Mungo Park has rediscovered Nigeria. Access to the state itself, a major obstacle in the […]

Emmanuel Bello

With a brilliant blueprint for development, an emerging class of entrepreneurs, and a serious leadership at the helm, Taraba state is becoming more investors friendly. Top-level Nigerians and foreigners keep trooping to the state as if the proverbial Mungo Park has rediscovered Nigeria. Access to the state itself, a major obstacle in the past, has been greatly enhanced with the modified Danbaba Suntai Airport- an ambitious project to open the skies of Jalingo and facilitate more airline brands into the state. The roads are also getting better attention to create greater access to the hinterlands.

Dr Agbu Kefas, the swashbuckling governor of the state, has brought his midas touch to the airport- remodeling it to appreciable standards. He told reporters recently that the airport would continue to undergo a face-lift until it is able to expand its clientele and reach. Already plans are underway to train Taraba citizens in various aspects of the aviation industry. A consulting firm has been assisting in churning out basic workers for the airport, thus providing employment for many.

Next to this is the overall security Taraba state is currently enjoying. Predicated on a strong tradition of military intelligence, the governor has brought to bear the full impact of his training and worldview as far as security is concerned. The result has been tremendous. The state is now a corridor of safety in the boisterous atmosphere of the wild North East region. It can not be overstated that Dr Kefas is a renowed security expert, well sought after across the globe. He therefore takes the security of Taraba state rather personal as this would be one of the greatest tests of his legacy.

No wonder that today, Governor Kefas has relentlessly worked with various military formations and also the paramilitary to secure Taraba as an unsafe haven for bandits and other criminals. The feeling of safety, coupled with tremendous work to protect the borders, has continued to place Taraba on the safety map of a troubled country.

People are also taking advantage of all the huge opportunities in education, agriculture, health, mineral exploration, ICT, and all the major sectors to seek new outlets for trade and investment. Free education meant more school aids, teachers’ training and support. The ongoing agricultural revolution with the tractors means that farming entrepreneurs now have greater opportunities to diversify. Mining is such an attraction, too, as many of the investors are targeting the newfound zeal and the legal framework that is ensuring better practices.

Overall, the state is a beehive of fresh activities. A re-energized civil service wakes up each morning with renewed zest to work. With prompt remunerations and the assurances of proper pensions and gratuities, the workforce is highly motivated. The state is, therefore, constantly humming with the sound of progress at all levels.

Bello is the Special Adviser Media and Digital Communications to Governor Kefas