Taraba Task Force arrests over 5,000 foreigners at illegal mining site

The Taraba State Task Force on Environment, Public Safety and Prevention of Land Degradation has arrested more than 5,000 illegal miners at the mining site.

The agency also raised concerns about fears of desert encroachment and other environmental degradation, saying it is behind current efforts to curb tree burning to make charcoal.

Arise News reports that there has been an outcry in Taraba State over rising charcoal prices due to the ongoing crackdown on illegal tree felling.

Some farmers said the crisis had led to greater hardship, especially in light of the cost of gas and household fuel.

However, the Chairman of the task force, General Jeremiah Faranza (rtd), at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, said those arrested were mostly foreigners with overstayed visas.

Faranza said the government is aware of the difficulties but wants to control the illegal removal of economic trees.

According to him, illegal tree burning is carried out by a cartel, from which the state loses enormously.

He said, “You can’t try this in China. Once your visa expires, you will return to your home country. The destruction of economic trees such as mangoes is not carried out by the Tarabans, but by agents. We don’t want what happened in the Niger Delta to happen to Taraba.

“Cooking over coals is not a problem. But doing business is a big crime. It is not prepared in Taraba State but exported. The law allows us to protect our lands. Previous governments did nothing to protect our state. But for the current administration, it won’t be business as usual.”

He said charcoal had become an export product of Taraba State, stressing that the activities of loggers must be checked.

Faranza said Taraba State has a responsibility to protect the land from illegal tree felling, recommending that going forward, those who cut down trees should also plant more.

He also explained that the current burning of trees to produce charcoal in Taraba State only benefits the cartel who resell the products outside the state.

“Charcoal is sold in Jalingo for N4,500 but resold at N12,000 in Abuja. The cartel benefits,” Faranza emphasized.

He expressed optimism that the state government is looking at ways to alleviate the suffering of people through innovative means other than the use of charcoal.

Faranza said the government is not completely against the use of firewood for cooking, but rather against the unscrupulous destruction of economic trees.

Friday Olokor

Follow us: