Taraba: Group accuses taskforce of destroying govt mining equipment worth billions of Naira

By Uhuru Samuel Adaji, Jalingo

The Taraba Concern Citizens (TCC), a pressure group operating in Taraba has accused the chairman Taraba state Special Taskforce on Illegal Mining and Deforestation, Brigadier General Jeremiah Faransa (Rtd) of destroying the states owned mining equipment worth Billions of Naira at Akwana community in Wukari local government area of Taraba State.

The Coordinator, TCC Comrade Emos Tijani call on Governor Kefas to come out clear to inform the people of the state why a Taskforce established by his government would destroy equipment worth Billions of Naira which was procured by the same government.

Governor Agbu Kefas had procured mining equipment worth Billions through the State Bureau for Solid Mineral Resources for mining activities.

However, the Faransa led Taskforce burnt two brand new Excavators, Soundproof Micano Generators, Detecting Machines, motorcycles and other mining equipment at the mining site located at BenueTaraba bolder in Akwana community in Wukari local government area of the State.

Faransa, according a source who was at the mining site during the destruction claimed the equipment belong to illegal Miners who always hide to harness mineral resources in the state.

The Coordinator, TCC Comrade Emos Tijani while addressing journalists in Jalingo, on Monday allege that there are discrepancies leading to the burning of the mining equipment. He stated that “it is still not clear why a Taskforce that was set up by the governor would destroy the state owned properties of such magnitude?”

Tijani urged the state Governor Kefas to urgently provide detail information on why there was a communication gap between the state government and the Taskforce that led to the incident.

“We the concern citizens are still confused of what led to the destruction of the mining equipment, is it that the Faransa led Taskforce is in disagreement with the state government? Or, is it that the governor and his government are also engaged in illegal mining activities that the equipment worth Billions of Naira were destroyed at this time that there is economic hardship? We demand to know” Tijani said.

The Permanent Secretary, Taraba State Bureau for Solid Mineral Resources, Matsai David confirm that he conveyed the mining equipment procured by the Bureau to Akwana in Wukari on the directives of the Governor.

“I conveyed the mining equipment to Wukari on the directive of the governor, am not answerable to the Taskforce, when the governor comes back from the trip, I will give my explanation on the situation, for now, I reserve my comment” David disclosed when contacted over the incident.

Our correspondent reports that tongues have been wagging among the people of Taraba state last week wondering what should a Task force put in place by the state government go ahead to destroy government property worth billions of Naira.

Efforts by our correspondent to get the comment of the Chairman of the Taskforce committee on mining, General Faransa proved abortive .