YOU just kick-started the disbursement of the victims support funds to those who were affected by 2017/2018 crisis at Mambila Plateau. But many people are of opinion that the Federal Government should have been at the forefront of this kind of scheme. What is your take on this?
The issue of crisis in the state is something you navigate at the state level. The president can only advise and that is why I feel that the one on the Mambila here should not be different. It is the sole responsibility of the state to ensure the peace of the people as spelled by the constitution, so the decision on how you move the state forward, how you navigate the problems is a state affair.
We were able to navigate the Mambila crisis, how it started and today we are here. I thank God that it is behind us and I am happy to say we are making progress peacefully. I always feel bad when it seems the future of our children is being mortgaged because of communal clashes, but I want to believe that this has come to pass, particularly here at the Mambila Plateau.
I also intend going to other local governments areas like Lau where the IDPs are in large numbers. My desire is to ensure that we have permanent peace and most people are in the IDP camps and you know you cannot be in peace when you are in IDP camp.
These people and their children, who are our future leaders, if they remain in the IDP camps, their future would be mortgaged. I am also afraid about what happened the last time in Lau when people were killed immediately they returned to their houses.
You know I don’t own the police and the military; I am not really saying the security agencies have not tried, they have tried but the conflicting issues there in Lau is that the killers do come from outside. The situation is not like the one here in the Mambila, which is within the local government. So, it is very difficult to handle the issue in Lau Local Government area since the attackers do not come from Adamawa State. But we are doing all we can to ensure that this problem is put to rest. We cannot miss the sugar company that is already on the way for establishment in Lau Local Government. Lau is so dear to us; there are lots of potential in Lau, which you all know.
The multi-billion naira green house project is being said to have yielded positive result for the economy of Taraba State. Where do you see the company in the next four years, and what is the situation of the state’s policy to export tea?
That is a great question my desire as governor of Taraba State is to see our generation leaves something great and envious to the entire Nigeria. The green house is generating good income for the state and we are making plans to ensure that the company becomes a leading one in the world. These plans are already designed and I assure you that these plans are going to be executed.
On the state’s tea policy, I can tell you that the tea policy is already a done deal. I would have said that tea would, within a short time, be exported but we are still considering how we would meet up the demands of Nigerians for the tea before we start the exportation. We have submitted all the needed documents, we are awaiting approval.
I want to make Taraba great; we have revived the moribund companies and they are now working. We no longer import animals feed, oil or polythene. All of these are being produced here in the state. Seven moribund companies have been revived and we are going to do more to see Taraba among the greatest states in the country.
The 2019 general election is around the corner, with you as the governorship standard-bearer and many other strong politicians in the race against you. What do you think are your chances in that election?
My faith is 100 per cent, because Tarabans voted me into power even when I was not well-known in the politics of the state in 2015. I got overwhelming support from the people in 2015. Now, they have now seen the dividends of democracy and my desire to work for the state. I have worked and I am still working to change their lives for the better. I have the belief that they would vote for me to consolidate on the foundation I raised within the three years of my government. Taraba people know me as a master of peace and development and I believe that they will not make any mistake at all regarding that election, because they are wise enough not to be convinced by cheap political sweet words.
We have enough to tell the people during campaigns, because we have done great things. Our vision for the people is not hidden and I must thank God that everybody knows it. Our victory in 2019 will be a walk over against my opponents in the state and very soon, I will have the opportunity to go round the 16 local government areas of the state to point at all the projects they have been enjoying and tell them the need to support us once again. It is a done deal. By the time I am done in the next four years, both the young and the old in the state would have a voice to say ‘Governor Darius Ishaku has done well.’
and then