The Taraba State Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, Sarah Enoch Adi, has refuted claims suggesting that the state carries a debt burden of N1.2 trillion, clarifying that official Debt Management Office (DMO) figures reflect a domestic debt stock of N85.51 billion.

Speaking during a fiscal briefing in Jalingo on Saturday evening, Adi explained that public commentary regarding state finances often conflates recognized existing debt with approved bank facilities, proposed capital market programs, and undisbursed financing agreements.

According to official DMO records cited by the commissioner, Taraba’s domestic debt stood at N85.51 billion as of December 31, 2025, compared to N87.96 billion recorded prior to the assumption of office by Governor Agbu Kefas’s administration.

Additionally, external debt obligations stood at $48.04 million within the same period.

Addressing reports regarding commercial bank facilities approved by the House of Assembly and a proposed N350 billion capital market bond program, Adi emphasized that facility approvals or program limits do not equate to actual drawn funds or current outstanding liabilities.

She noted that an initial tranche under consideration for the capital market program is approximately N35 billion.

Similarly, regarding the $268 million financing agreement executed with the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) for industrial parks, irrigation, and solar projects, Adi stressed that signing agreements does not constitute automatic cash disbursement, as drawdowns remain subject to statutory conditions precedent.

Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to fiscal discipline and transparency, Adi assured that borrowing decisions under Governor Kefas remain tied to economic sustainability, repayment capacity, and project execution.