Taraba assembly approves N653.5bn 2026 budget

File photo of Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State.

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The Taraba State House of Assembly on Monday 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.

The Speaker of the House, John Bonzena, described the passage of the appropriation bill as one of the Assembly’s core constitutional responsibilities, commending members of the Appropriations Committee for their diligence and thorough scrutiny that culminated in the final figures.

Bonzena said the timely approval of the budget would enable the governor to effectively deliver good governance and the dividends of democracy to the people 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 and love members of this House have for the development of the state,” he said.

The Speaker urged standing and ad hoc committees of the House to intensify their oversight functions to ensure proper implementation of the budget, while lamenting the recurring failure of some heads of ministries, departments, and agencies to appear before the Assembly to defend their budget proposals.

He also thanked the people of the state for their continued support of the legislature, urging lawmakers not to be discouraged by criticisms but to remain focused on delivering meaningful representation to their constituencies.

The approved appropriation bill, tagged “Development We Can See,” stood at N650.63 billion when presented by the governor about three weeks ago.

It provides for a capital expenditure of over N457 billion, representing 70.36 per cent of the total budget, while recurrent expenditure is pegged at N192 billion, accounting for 29.64 per cent.

Governor Kefas had said during the presentation that the 2026 budget was anchored on impact and tangible transformation, with strategic emphasis on infrastructure development, particularly roads and transportation, as well as education and healthcare.

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