Taraba
Illegal Mining resurfaces In Taraba, As Govt delays release of mining Guidelines
Eleojo Samuel Jalingo
Illegal mining activities are again in full swing in Taraba state, as miners who were earlier chased away from sites by the state Task Force on Environmental Protection, Public Safety and Prohibition of Deforestation are back in business.
The miners, who have regrouped in camps across the state, were said to have taken advantage of inability of government to issue the guidelines for formal operations in the sector, since the official suspension of mining by the state government for more than one year ago.
Our correspondent gathered that the Task Force was incapacitated in carrying out sustained crack down on sites and camps due to the difficult terrains and lack of functional vehicles.
investigations revealed that it took between 5-6 hours to reach most of these mining camps due to their mountainous locations, it was therefore very difficult for the Task Force to maintain constant raids as a result of distances.
Investigation reveals that in Abujan Leda, a mining camp within the Jamtari ward of Gashaka Local Government Area, there have been a beehive of activities going on, with workers digging away without any sign of fear of being arrested.
A labourer, who simply identified himself as Farouku Argungu told our correspondent that he has been in the camp for more than five years now and had witnessed about four raids by the Task Force in the last one year, adding that each time the Taskforce comes for raids, residents of the camp always alert the miners to flee the area.
Argungu declined to disclose details of the volume and value of the Sapphire and Quartz being harvested weekly on site, but said the deposits in the ground were unquantifiable.l
Our correspondent further gathered that one Abdullahi Sani Mayanchi, an Ibadan based businessman, was said to be the brain behind the major mining activities in Gashaka local government
Mayanchi , according to our findigs, operates the camp in conjunction with the District Head of Jamtari, who was reported to have given consent to the miner even when the state government has issued a directive asking traditional rulers to stay off mining activities in their domains.
Efforts by our correspondent to contact the district head failed, as calls to his phone could not go through.
Meanwhile, lMayanchi, popularly known as Abdullahi Zamfara denied being in charge of excavations, saying since the task force first burnt down the camp during a raid early last year, he abandoned mining activities in the area.
When pressed further he admitted that he has two of his brothers in the camp, but quickly added that once labourers were camped at a mine, they hardly would vacate no matter the intimidation.
Spokesman for the task force, Zuppai Ibrahim told our correspondent that the Taskforce had raided that particular camp about four times, but wondered why the illegal miners refused to vacate the site.
He said the Task Force will not relent on its assignment despite all odds, until everybody complies with the laws guiding mining in the state.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Yakubu Maikasuwa confirmed that the guidelines on mining in the state will be made public as soon as legislative processes were completed.
He added that once the guidelines were released, interested miners that would dig the soil beyond five meters in the state would have to pay certain fee to the state government. ////.
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By Eleojo Samuel Adaji, Jalingo
Taraba State is grappling with an unprecedented outbreak of Lassa fever, which has claimed 14 lives in the last three months.
Head of Clinical Services at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo Dr. Kuni Joseph, disclosed the alarming figures, noting that six of the deaths occurred in just the past week.
According to him, between October 24, 2024, and now, the state recorded 84 suspected cases of Lassa fever, 33 of which were confirmed positive, while nine patients have been successfully treated and discharged, six remain hospitalized at FMC Jalingo.
“This is the first time we are recording such a significant number of cases in Taraba State,” Dr. Joseph remarked, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Efforts to address the outbreak have intensified, with joint meetings held by FMC Jalingo, the Taraba State Ministry of Health, and officials from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The discussions are focused on mapping out strategies to curb the spread of the disease.
Dr. Joseph assured the public that FMC Jalingo is fully equipped with the necessary facilities for managing Lassa fever cases, eliminating the need for referrals.
However, he called for vigilance and community cooperation to prevent further infections.
The ongoing outbreak underscores the need for sustained public health efforts to combat the deadly diseas
From Eleojo Samuel Adaji,Jalingo
The Secretary to Ibi Traditional Council in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba state, Alhaji Nurudden Hassan Galadima has denied knowledge of any form of traditional title called “Ter Tiv Ibi” in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba state.
Galadima in a press statement signed and made available to Journalists in Jalingo on Monday said the recent publications being circulated round on conventional and social media on the purported installation of one Japhet Lorapuur Mkar as Ter Tiv Ibi as ellien to Ibi Traditional Council.
The Secretary of the council said that the Chief of Ibi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Salihu Danbawuro III, a second class ruler of Ibi did not give approval for the installation or crowning of any Ter Tiv Ibi, in Ibi Local Government Area as claimed by a section of people in Ibi.
“I want tell you categorically that the Chief of Ibi , Alhaji Abubakar Salihu Danbawuro III has not at any time given approval for any Tiv indigene in Ibi local government area to be installed as Ter Tiv Ibi. The statement added.
The Secretary noted that the purported election that followed the emergence of Zaki Japhet who was said to have defeated one Zaki Akenawe Saameakpe in an open ballot contest was fake, null and void.
“I want you to know that no traditional ruler is allowed to give approval for any installation of any form of Chief or a traditional ruler without the approval of the Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas so the Ibi traditional Council disassociate herself from the said installation of Ter Tiv in Ibi Local Government.
The statement warned both elders of Ichongu and Ipusu clans to adhere to the ban on installing or granting approval for the appointment of any chief in the local government.
“I want all sons and daughters of Ibi, Taraba state and the public to note that there is no any substantive traditional head called Ter Tiv Ibi in Ibi Chiefdom.
And the public should further note that there will be no zoning of any form between the Ichongu, Nonguv, Ihyarev, Ugondu and Turan when there is no Tiv substantive traditional head of any kind” the statement said.
The statement further warned that the Nonguv, Ihyarev Ugondu, and the Turan clans of Ichongu should stop parading themselves as kingmakers who voted for Japhet Lorapuur as Ter Tiv Ibi .///.
By Eleojo Samuel Adaji, Jalingo
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Taraba State University chapter, has resolved to continue its ongoing strike until all its demands are fully implemented.
Comrade Bitrus Joseph Ajibauka, the SSANU state chairperson/JAC Chaiman, disclosed the Union’s position in a press statement on Sunday evening in Jalingo.
According to the statement, the union after her emergency congress meeting held on Friday 10th. January 2025, resolved that the indefinite strike action will continue until full implementation of all her demands are made.
“While we commend the state government for her efforts concerning our some of our demands, we wish to state here categorically that the indefinite strike continue until all our demands are fully implemented.
“Congress resolved that the unpaid full salaries of September 2022,
unpaid full salaries of October 2022, the withheld 28% of June, 2022 salary balance, withheld 51% of November, 2022 salary balance, the withheld 44% of December, 2022 salary balance be fully paid.
“Contrary to the offer to pay thirty million naira for Earned Administrative Allowances,
Congress, resolved that 50% of the total outstanding EAA of six
hundred and ninety two million, nine hundred and thity nine thousand, nine
hundred and sixty five naira and seventy two kobo (N692,939,965.72) be paid first, while the balance of 50% should be paid within three (3) months,
effecting from February, 2025.
“Congress maintain its earlier position of rejecting the retrogressive application of the Criteria and Guideline for Appointment, Appraisal and
Promotions of Senior Non-Academic Staff of 2012 that was annulled, repealed
and replaced for the Appraisal Exercise of 2023/2024 year.
“It resolved and request
the state Ministry of Tertiary Education to direct the University management to apply the guidelines for appointments and Promotions of Senior Non- Academic Staff as approved by Council in 2020, that was used for 2020/2021, 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 for the 2023/2024 Appraisal exercise, pending the inauguration of the University Governing Council, for ratification.
“Congress resolved that the Ministry of Tertiary Education should direct the University Management to complete the payment of the balance of 2016 to
2020 promotion arrears.
“Congress commended the state government effort for commencing work on the University Pension, and resolved to go for the State Pension Scheme. However, it suggested for the establishment of the Tertiary Education Pension Board”. The statement read.
The union while commending governor Agbu Kefas, and the state ministry of Tertiary Education for approving and implementing
the N70,000 New National Minimum Wage of 2024 as enacted by the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024, and the payment of peculiar allowances, they expressed that her indefinite
strike action has no links whatsoever with the proposed peaceful demonstration by
students that was averted.
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