Taraba State Commissioner for Energy and Economy Naomi Tanko
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly quizzed the Taraba State Commissioner for Energy and Economy, Hon. Naomi Tanko, alongside the Director of Finance in the ministry, over allegations surrounding the alleged mismanagement of ₦2 billion approved for the procurement of electricity transformers in the state.
Findings by NATIONAL ACCORD indicate that the commissioner and the finance director were earlier invited by the anti-graft agency in 2024 and subsequently detained by the EFCC Gombe Zonal Office over the same allegations involving more than ₦2 billion released under the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas.
The funds, approved by the state government, were meant for the procurement and distribution of electricity transformers to improve power supply in both rural and urban communities across Taraba State, with the aim of boosting economic activities.
However, investigations revealed that the EFCC’s renewed action followed reports from civil servants within the ministry and growing public outcry across the state. The reports alleged that over ₦2 billion released for the project was paid into the personal account of the commissioner, rather than the official account of the ministry, before being disbursed to contractors.
“Although she was compelled in the process to return the money into the ministries’ account,” a senior staff of the ministry confirmed under anonymity.
Residents and civil servants said the failure to see the transformers supplied or installed months after the approval of the funds has heightened concerns and renewed calls for accountability.
“Up till date, the public is yet to receive clear answers on whether the transformers were procured, distributed, and installed, the identity of the contractor, and the outcome of the EFCC investigation, we begged for answers because is public funds,” one of the aggrieved residents said.
Efforts by this correspondent to get clarification from the commissioner proved unsuccessful. When contacted, Hon. Naomi Tanko declined to comment on the matter and did not respond to calls or messages sent to her phone.
In a message sent to the commissioner, the correspondent wrote:
“Good morning Hon Commissioner, am John Mkom of NATIONAL ACCORD Newspaper, am calling in respect to the report available that you and your financial officer were quizzed at EFCC zonal office in Gombe over N2b transformer contract, how true is this story….?”
As of the time of filing this report, no official response had been received, while citizens continue to demand clarity on the whereabouts of the transformers or the ₦2 billion transformer funds approved by the state government.
