Taraba govt has refused to pay my pension, other benefits — Former Acting Gov

Former Acting Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar UTC has denied media reports that he was paid millions of naira as pension and severance gratuity ‎by the state government.

‎A statement from the former governor’s media office signed by Ahmed Balla Gassol said Umar did not receive a kobo as pension neither did he and his appointees collected severance gratuity from the state government‎.

‎He said Umar’s official vehicles were illegally withdrawn by the then Acting Governor, Sani Abubakar Danladi.

He added that t‎he state government under Governor Dairus Ishaku has refused to recognize Alhaji Garba Umar UTC as a deputy governor and subsequently acting governor of the state.

He described Governor Ishaku’s refusal to recognize the two years administration of Alhaji Umar as a disservice to history and posterity.

Gassol said if former Governor Danbaba Suntai and his deputy Sani Abubakar Danlandi were paid their severance allowances, governor Ishaku should shun political, religion and ethnic bias to pay Alhaji Garba Umar and his political appointees.

Gassol also urged Governor Ishaku to stop showcasing UTC administrations projects and show the people what his administration has achieved since it came to power.

"Anytime Governor Ishaku or his aides have the opportunity to talk about their achievements in office, they had ceasely continue to claim glory for projects constructed by UTC.

"To put the record straight, ‎Alhaji Umar completed various roads projects which includes the Jalingo- Sunkani – Garba Chede Road a 72 kilometre Stretch at N12. 4billion.

The Bali – Sarti – Gembu, a 237 kilometre Road embarked upon by Alhaji Umar two years administration is currently above 80 percent completion with N11.9bn paid out of the N17 billion total cost."

The Federal government verification team has certify and commended the contractor for a perfect job, while the State Government had put in a claim of between N28 and N30 Billion for the projects.

‎In addition, Gassol added that UTC  completed and commissioned 4 kilometre Road in 10 Local Governments, a 250 beds hospital and secretariat  for Yantu Development Area with electrification of Suntai, Bali, Gassol, Dogoyeli, Apawa and Maisamari among several laudable projects.

He stressed that it’s morally wrong for Governor Ishaku to be benefiting from a regime he has refused to recognize.