Taraba Residents jubilate over the dissolution of Faransa’s led task force
By Chuwang Dungs
Twenty-four hours after the dissolution of the Taraba State Special Task Force on Illegal Mining and Environmental Protection, led by Jeremiah Faransa, residents of Jalingo were on Thursday in jubilant mood as they hailed the decision of Governor Agbu Kefas.
Most of the residents expressed happiness at the decision, saying the activities of the task force had made life nightmarish for them as they were buying charcoal and firewood at exorbitant rates.
A charcoal and firewood dealer, Musa Danladi, told our reporter that the activities of the Task Force has been a nightmare to them.
He said they are being harassed and their goods seized by the military personnel of the Task without any option.
The governor had in a statement by the Permanent Secretary Political Affairs in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS), Jemimah Nwunuji, announced the sacking of Faransa, with immediate effect.
DAYLIGHTREPORTERS reports that Faransa, had been in a cold war with the governor over the task force’s recent destruction of mining equipment worth billions of naira in Akwana, Wukari local government area.
DAYLIGHTREPORTERS learnt that Mr Faransa has returned all the task force operational vehicles to the office of the SGS.
According to the statement, the environmental protection function will now be under the jurisdiction and supervision of local government areas.
“The council chairmen will be responsible for ensuring compliance with environmental regulations within their territories,” the statement reads.
