SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT:

GENERAL FARANSA WAS NOT SACKED AS BOSS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TASKFORCE - Taraba State Government

The Taraba State Government has moved to clarify the recent frivolous misinformation circulating in some quarters regarding the Special Taskforce on Environmental Protection against the Activities of Miners and the Felling of Rosewood in the state.

In a press statement signed by Mrs. Jemimah Nwuniji, Permanent Secretary on Political Affairs at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of Taraba State, the government explained that the Taskforce was established to tackle the menace of illegal mining and environmental degradation in the state.

This development follows the recent appointment of Brigadier General J.A. Faransa (Rtd) as the Chairman of the Taraba State Internal Revenue Service, a position that carries significant responsibilities and a substantial workload.

According to sources, the decision to reorganize the Taskforce is aimed at ensuring that the new Chairman of the Taraba State Internal Revenue Board can focus on his new role without any distractions.

The Taskforce, which was established to tackle the menace of illegal mining and environmental degradation in the state, has been instructed to submit its report and recommendations to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the State, marking the end of its operational mandate.

The move is seen as a strategic effort to streamline the state's environmental protection efforts and ensure that the new leadership of the Taraba State Internal Revenue Board can effectively discharge its duties without any encumbrances.

It is expected that the report and recommendations submitted by the Taskforce will provide valuable insights and guidance for the state government's sustained fight against illegal mining and environmental protection.

The Taraba State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental protection and has assured the public that the reorganization of the Taskforce will not compromise its efforts to preserve the state's natural resources.

With the expected submission of the Taskforce's report and recommendations, the state government is poised to embark on a new phase of environmental protection efforts, building on the successes achieved by the Taskforce during its operational mandate.

In the statement, the government emphasized that the move is aimed at guiding the state's sustained fight against illegal mining and environmental protection, and not a termination of its commitment to environmental protection.

Contrary to the false narrative being peddled, the government remains committed to environmental protection and intends to restructure and decentralize the Taskforce's operations.

It further explain that the Environmental protection will now be monitored and enforced at the local level, with each of the 16 Local Government Councils overseeing activities within their respective jurisdictions.

The Chairmen of these Councils will now have the authority to supervise and ensure compliance with environmental regulations in their areas.

The Executive Order issued by Governor Agbu Kefas on Environmental Protection against the Activities of Miners and the Felling of Rosewood remains in full force.

The government urged the general public to disregard the false narrative suggesting that the General Faransa-led Committee has been dissolved along with the Executive Order.

The Taraba State Government remains steadfast in its commitment to environmental protection and will continue to take concrete steps to ensure the preservation of the state's natural resources.