By Terna Chikpa
The Taraba State Government, through the Environmental and Sanitation Agency, on Saturday said it would arrest and prosecute livestock owners who allow their animals to roam freely within the state capital.
Hon. Iliya Kefas, Chairman of the agency, disclosed this while monitoring the monthly sanitation exercise in Jalingo, the state capital.
Kefas lamented what he described as sanitation and traffic violations caused by stray animals within the metropolis, urging owners to henceforth restrict their movement to avoid being penalised.
According to the chairman, stray animals were creating environmental disorder and obstructing traffic, a situation capable of making the state capital unhygienic and exposing residents to other related risks.
He urged livestock owners to take caution, saying the task force would be decisive in enforcing environmental regulations against anyone found violating the rules.
“The arrest and prosecution of livestock owners who allow their animals to move freely within the state metropolis will soon commence. We urge owners of these animals to immediately take action by restricting their movement to avoid being penalised,” Kefas warned.
The agency chairman thanked Governor Agbu Kefas for his recent commendation of the agency’s performance.
Iliya assured residents that the monthly sanitation exercise had come to stay, saying the agency was committed to ensuring a cleaner and more hygienic Taraba metropolis.
He explained that the sanitation exercise was not limited to sweeping and evacuation of refuse, adding that critical components of the programme were also being enforced to achieve the desired results.
He urged residents to support the agency’s efforts to achieve Governor Agbu Kefas’ vision for a cleaner Taraba.
Iliya called on residents to imbibe the culture of cleanliness beyond the designated sanitation hours, saying collective daily sanitation habits would contribute to a healthier environment.
“This deliberate exercise is to ensure that Governor Agbu Kefas’ desire for a cleaner Taraba is achieved. I wish to inform residents that the monthly sanitation exercise has come to stay, and they must avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse. Traders must keep their business areas clean, while property owners must also maintain their drainages. Government will provide equipment for waste evacuation and public enlightenment across the 16 local government areas of the state,” the agency chairman stated.