The Taraba State Government has announced plans to arrest and prosecute livestock owners whose animals are allowed to roam freely within Jalingo metropolis, warning that the practice poses serious environmental, sanitation and traffic risks.
The State Environmental and Sanitation Agency disclosed this on the weekend during the monitoring of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise across the state capital.
Chairman of the agency, Iliya Kefas, said the decision was part of measures to strengthen environmental regulations and ensure that Jalingo remains clean, orderly and safe for residents.
Kefas expressed concern over the increasing presence of straying animals on major roads and residential areas, noting that the development was contributing to environmental disorder and obstructing the free flow of traffic.
He warned livestock owners to immediately take steps to restrict the movement of their animals or face sanctions from the enforcement team.
“The arrest and prosecution of livestock owners who allow their animals to freely move within the state metropolis will soon commence. We urge owners of those animals to immediately take action by restricting their movement to avoid being penalised,” Kefas warned.
According to him, allowing livestock to roam around the metropolis could create unhygienic conditions and increase the risk of road accidents and other dangers to residents.
He said the enforcement team would be decisive in dealing with individuals found violating environmental and sanitation regulations.
The agency chairman also clarified that the monthly sanitation exercise was not limited to sweeping streets and evacuating refuse, but included the enforcement of environmental laws and other measures aimed at achieving a cleaner and healthier state capital.
Kefas said the monthly sanitation exercise had come to stay, stressing that the agency would sustain its efforts to improve environmental hygiene across the state.
He appealed to residents to support the government’s efforts by maintaining cleanliness beyond the designated sanitation hours and making environmental hygiene part of their daily routine.
“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, and property owners must also maintain drainages, while government provides equipment for waste evacuation and public enlightenment across the 16 local government areas of the state,” he said.
The chairman further urged residents to see environmental cleanliness as a collective responsibility, stressing that government alone could not achieve a clean and healthy environment without the cooperation of citizens.
He particularly appealed to traders, property owners, livestock owners and other residents to comply with sanitation regulations and desist from practices capable of undermining the state’s environmental campaign.
Kefas also commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his recent recognition of the agency’s performance, assuring that the commendation would further motivate officials to intensify enforcement and public sanitation activities.
He said the agency would continue to combine enforcement with public enlightenment to ensure that residents understand their responsibilities and the consequences of violating environmental regulations.
The latest warning comes amid renewed efforts by the state government to improve environmental hygiene in Jalingo and other parts of Taraba.
The agency said its broader objective was to create a cleaner, healthier and safer environment where residents could go about their daily activities without unnecessary obstruction or environmental hazards.
Taraba moves to arrest, prosecute owners of straying livestock in Jalingo