Ishaku, Deputy Fight Dirty Over Lucrative Wood Business

All is not well in Taraba state as Governor Darius Ishaku and his Deputy, Haruna Manu are up in arms against each other over the control of the lucrative wood business in the state known as Madrid Business.

Sources said that although the state government banned one of the groups laying claims to control of business, the banned group had regrouped, defied the ban, and is presently rallying support of highly placed individuals who are presently arm-twisting the governor to drop the ban.

Advertisement

A multi million naira asset, the Madrid- an economy tree found in the forests of Taraba state, recently became a huge money spinner for the state with Chinese investors buying into it.

Two groups however emerged to control the remittances. On one hand is the Taraba State Timber Contractors, Producers and Marketing Association which the government banned.

The government then said it only recognized Taraba Timber and Madrid Buyers Association.

For instance, in letter dated July 3 2017, the Secretary to the State Government, Anthony Jellason, had said he was directed to inform the contractors group that “His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Taraba state, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku has approved” their banning from operating in the state forthwith.

Advertisement

The letter was duly copied the Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Commissioner of police and the chairmen of both the contractors and buyers groups.

It was however learnt that the ban did not go down well with Manu who is the patron of the contractors.

Enlisting his support and that of the Chief of Staff, Rebo Usman, Musa Karamti, among other big wigs, the contractors group have since regrouped and moved to force Governor Ishaku to drop his ban.

Following the pressure, The WHISTLER learnt that the state government has asked a committee to look into the matter afresh.

The source said, “Last Saturday, the matter came up again. I think the deputy governor is playing with fire here. He knows that the governor has already issued an order on this. If they succeed in getting the governor to change his mind, they would have whittled his authority and undermined his powers. Unfortunately, the governor who wants peace by all means have again said there should be a “retrial” of the matter.

Advertisement

“And he gave the job to the deputy governor who has large interest in the matter. What we hear is that N40 million is involved in the new push by the contractors who are busy doling out money to people at the top. The chief of staff is involved. But this is an attempt to ridicule the governor. And beyond ridicule, the contractors group are known to be APC apologists.”

 

Leave a comment

Advertisement