Forty-six persons have been prosecuted by the Taraba State Government for the illegal felling of trees and mining in different parts of the state.
The chairman of the task force set up to enforce the suspension of mining and deforestation activities, Brigadier General Jeremiah Faransa (rtd), reiterated that stiffer penalties will be meted out to defaulters.
At least fifty trailers moving different species of wood out of Taraba State to different parts of the country were held in Mallum community, in the suburb of Jalingo, the state capital.
The vehicles were stopped for breaking the law of the Taraba State Government, which suspended all mining activities.
Due to the massive deforestation, which poses an environmental threat to the state, a mobile court is prosecuting them for the offence.
Taraba Governor Kefas had set up a task force committee to see to the enforcement of the law until reforms are made in the state’s mining and forestry sectors.
General Jeremiah Faransa (rtd), who is the Chairman of the task force, says 39 people have been prosecuted for illegal deforestation and 7 for illegal mining, with the option of a fine, or serving a jail term.
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He says adequate sensitization has been put in place on the new policy, and ignorance of the law will not be a defence for defaulters.
The Taraba State Government had expressed concerns over the environmental hazards, posed by indiscriminate mining and deforestation activities, without regard for environmental laws or corporate social responsibilities.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
