Taraba governor dissolves environmental taskforce, announces restructuring efforts

• The SSG said that the council chairmen will be responsible for ensuring compliance with environmental regulations within their territories. 

Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has declared the end of the Special Taskforce on Environmental Protection.

Kefas assured that the state government will persist in its fight against unlawful mining activities.

On Wednesday, the taskforce, led by retired Brigadier General J.A. Faransa, was instructed to wrap up its activities and present its discoveries, reports, and suggestions to the secretary to the state government’s office for further examination and action.

In a notice issued and signed by Mrs. Jemimah Nwunuji, permanent secretary to the SSG, revealed that environmental law enforcement has been reassigned to the state’s 16 local government councils.

“The council chairmen will be responsible for ensuring compliance with environmental regulations within their territories,” the SSG said.

Nevertheless, some individuals applauded the dissolution, arguing that the taskforce’s actions, especially the crackdown on charcoal use, had exacerbated the hardships faced by the poor.

It’s worth noting that the taskforce was initially formed to combat illicit activities that could harm the environment.

However, its enforcement actions sparked controversy after resulting in the destruction of mining equipment worth billions of naira in Wukari council’s Akwana community.

The notice further stated that Governor Kefas has appointed retired General Faransa as the new head of the Taraba State Internal Revenue Board.

This restructuring aims to enhance supervision and enforcement at the local level, ensuring the state’s environmental protection efforts remain strong and effective.