Taraba State government, through the Environmental and Sanitation Agency, on Saturday said it will arrest and prosecute livestock owners who allow their animals to freely move within the metropolis of the state.

Hon. Iliya Kefas, chairman of the Agency, disclosed the state government’s decision while monitoring the monthly sanitation exercise in Jalingo.

Hon. Kefas lamented what he described as sanitation and traffic rules violations caused by straying animals within the state metropolis, and urged owners to henceforth restrict their movement to avoid being penalised.

According to the chairman, straying animals were creating environmental disorder and traffic obstruction, capable of resulting in an unhygienic state capital and other related issues that could endanger residents’ lives.

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He urged owners to take caution, as the task force will be decisive on anyone found violating environmental rules.

“The arrest and prosecution of livestock owners who allow their animals to freely move within the state metropolis will soon commence. We urged owners of those animals to immediately take action by restricting their movement to avoid being penalised”.

The agency chairman thanked Governor Agbu Kefas for his recent commendation of excellent performance by the agency.

Hon. Iliya assured that the state’s monthly sanitation exercise has come to stay, as the agency’s desire is to ensure a hygienic and cleaner Taraba metropolis.

The chairman also expressed that the sanitation exercise was not limited to sweeping and evacuation of refuse, as critical components of the programme were being enforced to achieve the desired target.

He urged residents to support the agency’s efforts to achieve Governor Agbu Kefas’ drive for a cleaner Taraba.

Hon. Iliya called on residents to imbibe the culture of cleanliness beyond designated sanitation hours, as collective daily sanitation habits will improve a healthy environment for residents.

“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 drainage while the government provide equipment for waste evacuation and public enlightenment across the 16 local government areas of the state”.