Taraba State Disbands Environmental Protection Taskforce
Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has made a bold move by dissolving the Special Taskforce on Environmental Protection. The taskforce, led by Brigadier General J.A. Faransa, Rtd, was directed to wind up its activities and submit its reports and recommendations to the office of the Secretary to the State Government.
Under the new arrangement, environmental enforcement will now fall under the jurisdiction of the state’s 16 local government councils. According to the notice signed by Permanent Secretary to the SSG, Mrs. Jemimah Nwunuji, the council chairmen will be responsible for ensuring compliance with environmental regulations within their territories.
While some people welcomed the dissolution, others argued that the actions of the taskforce, particularly the crackdown on charcoal use, had worsened living conditions for the poor. The taskforce had been set up to combat illegal activities harming the environment, but its enforcement methods led to controversy, including the destruction of mining equipment worth billions of naira in the Akwana community of Wukari council.
The decision to dissolve the taskforce raises questions about the state’s approach to environmental protection and its commitment to addressing the needs of its citizens. As the state transitions to a new system, it remains to be seen whether the local government councils will be equipped to effectively enforce environmental regulations and protect the environment.
