By Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
The Taraba State House of Assembly on Monday approved the 2026 Appropriation Bill, marking a critical step in the state’s fiscal planning for the upcoming year.
Presenting the report, House Committee Chairman on Finance, Appropriation, Digital Economy and Innovation and Member representing Gembu State Constituency, Hon. Abdul – Azeez Suleiman Titong, said that the committee recommend the reduction of N1,000,000,000.00 from Taraba State Polytechnic Suntai out of N930,000,000.00 was allocated to Bereau for Solid Minerals and Ministry of Commerce, Trade & Industry to the turned of N70,000,000.00 as new revenue source for the earnings from sales of Taraba Sacks.
“The increase in the Budget size of N650,631,700,000.00 to N653,531,700,000.00 is from the Commercial borrowing of N3,000,000,000.00.
“The increase in the 2026 Budget size from N650,631,700,000.00 to N653,531,700,000.00 was necessitated by reason to include, Procurement of Teachers and Students Textbooks (Primary and Secondary), in the Ministry of Nursery & Basic Education to the tune of N1,000,000,000.00, Provision for the takeoff of Ministry of Secondary and Vocational Skills Education to the tune of N1,000,000,000.00 and the Construction of Taraba State Bio – Entrepreneurship innovations and Solution Agency, flagship laboratory complex in Nakambo, Wukari to a tune of N1,000,000,000.00 – he said.
He said that the total sum of N16,925,176,595.64 was added in the Capital Expenditure/Projects to include, N6,275,176,595.64 for Compensation and acquisition of surrounding properties around Government House, Jalingo, the sum of N6,000,000,000.00 for the provision of the takeoff of the Taraba State University for Tropical Agriculture, Technology, Science & Climate Actions, Gembu.
“The Sum of N2,000,000,000.00 is for the Construction of new brand High Court of Justice office complex and Judicial Service Commission office, N950,000,000.00 for Foreign Scholarship Program under the State Scholarship Board, N500,000,000.00 for the rehabilitation of Audit House Office Complex under the Taraba State Audit Service Commission while N750,000,000.00 is for the newly created Taraba State Sports Development Commission.
According to him, there was an increase of N1,000,000,000.00 to High Court of Justice Recurrent Expenditure and allocation of N1,000,000,000.00 to Taraba State University of Tropical Agriculture, Science, Technology, Climate Actions Gembu.
“There was also an increase of N200,000,000.00 to Taraba State Sports Development Commission – he added.
He appreciated the Speaker, members of the committee and his colleagues for their support and cooperation during their assignment.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena during the Plenary, appreciated his colleagues for the cooperation and support.
“Governor Kefas has good intention for the people of the state, we should pray and support him.
You are wonderful for a good job.
He urge Ministries Departments Agencies MDA’S to play their roles for the development of the state.
He hailed the timely passage as a victory for Taraba’s development, urging all to ensure full implementation of the budget.
The Bill, presented by Governor Agbu Kefas on November 19th,2025, outlines a budget of six hundred and fifty billion,six hundred and thirty-one million,seven hundred thousand naira (₦650,631,700.000) with a focus on infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
The bill was passed by the House after undergoing rigorous scrutiny by the House Committee on Appropriation, with public hearings.
The bill will be forwarded to the Governor for assent this week, with implementation set to begin January, 2026.