Taraba taskforce didn’t destroy government equipment – Chairman
Taraba taskforce didn’t destroy government equipment – Chairman
By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The Chairman, Taraba State Special Taskforce Committee on Environmental Protection, Public Safety and Prohibition of Deforestation Gen. Jeremiah Faransa has debunked media reports that the taskforce has destroyed State government owned mining equipment worth Billions of Naira.
Spokesman of the taskforce Zuppai Ibrahim who disclose this in a statement issued in Jalingo on Friday evening said that the report is mere propaganda by cartels who are bent on blackmailing the taskforce for frustrating their efforts to exploit the State.
“The attention of the Taraba State Special Taskforce Committee on Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and Prohibition of Deforestation has been drawn to a malicious and seditious allegation circulating in the new and conventional media that the chairman of the STF retired General Faransa and his men are accused of destroying government owned mining equipment in Akwana.
“The Taskforce has been diligently carrying out its functions in accordance with Executive Order No. 3 and 5 as amended as dully signed by His Excellency Governor Agbu Kefas in 2023, which established the taskforce to protect the environment, ensure public safety, and prohibit deforestation.
“Our operations are focused on enforcing these executive orders, and we have made significant strides in protecting Taraba State’s forests and natural resources, preventing environmental degradation, and ensuring public safety and security.
“The Special Taskforce has enjoyed the full support and backing of His Excellency Governor Agbu Kefas, who has consistently demonstrated his commitment to our mission.
“The allegation of destroying government owned mining equipment is a clear attempt by a cartel to create a rift between the Governor and the Special Taskforce, and to undermine our efforts to protect the state’s environment, it resources and citizens as the special taskforce was not communicated of any government equipment’s deployed to any mining site when the government is still working on a clear guidelines for all miners to adhere to.
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“We urged the public to disregard this false narrative and street symphony and recognize the special taskforce efforts to protect Taraba State’s environment and citizens. We remain committed to our mission and this very important state’s task and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure a safer, more sustainable environment for all” he said.
Our Correspondent reports that the media landscape was recently flooded with stories of how the Chairman ordered the destruction of mining equipment worth Billions of Naira owned by the State government, raising the issue of whether the state government was also involved in illegal mining.
