Taraba Commissioner tours agencies, takes step towards reform.
By Christiana Babayo
As part of efforts to boost activities in the Ministry of environment, the Commissioner Hon Alhassan Hamman Gassol has taken steps to visit agencies under it and liaise with the heads to ascertain the state of things and proffer ways forward.
The Commissioner who visited the Taraba Environmental Protection Agency TEPA and other locations recently, said this move is to enable him familiarize with every section of the ministry so as to boost synergy between them as well as maximize productivity.
At the Taraba Environmental Protection Agency,TEPA, the Permanent Secretary Mr Joshua Samaila Damuti described the visit of the Commissioner as a step towards the right direction.
“This agency is a technical area of the ministry of environment. It is like a child of the ministry sent to obtain technical reports from the field.
“This ministry has been here since 1994 and it is saddled with responsibilities like protecting and developing the state environment, monitoring the environment from pollution, identifying priorities and address environmental challenges affecting the state ,conduct public awareness master plan for the state and many other key functions”. He said.
The permanent secretary also drew the Commissioner’s attention to the challenges faced by the agency ranging from the aftermath of the Endsars protest in 2020 where the agency was vandalized to the issue of mobility, office spaces and manpower.
He appealed to the Honorable Commissioner to come to the aid of the Agency in order to revive it and set it rolling for the good of the Ministry and the state entirely.
In his response, the Commissioner assured the agency of his undying support and will to tackle their challenges to the best of his ability.
According to him, the job is not only for the government as every hand must be on deck to ensure that the challenges are looked into and solutions are proffered.
Expressing his worries over the situation of the Agency, the Commissioner reiterated the stand of the Ministry to assuage the problems of the agency using every resource at it’s disposal.
While interacting with journalists shortly after the tour, the Commissioner explained that leadership comes with sacrifices and the ministry will work selflessly to bring positive reforms in the ministry and it’s environs.
“I have been posted here newly and it is pertinent for me to go round and get familiar with the agencies.
As a leader, one must sacrifice. Going to TEPA and seeing their challenges, we cannot leave everything to Government.
“I will contribute, my perm sect and directors will contribute to get them some seats and other things before we seek support from the government and move ahead”
Also speaking on the areas affected by flood this year, the Commissioner mentioned that the Government has constituted committees to visit the areas affected by flood this year to ascertain the level of damage and bring a report so that the government can come in to assist those affected.
“Avoid settling around riverine areas, dropping refuse in the drainages and the excessive use of chemicals on farms as it also affects the soils. We need to go on the use of organic manure in order to protect the soil” He advised.
