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By Francis Nansak
No fewer than fifty trucks have been arrested by the Nasarawa State Government in conjunction with the police in Uke, Karshi Development Area of Karu local government council of the State.
A source who confirmed the arrest of the trucks, told our reporter that the trucks were moving charcoals allegedly from Nasarawa local government area of the state towards Abuja and were arrested and prevented from further movement with the products.
It would be recalled that the Nasarawa State government has placed a total ban on production of charcoal in large quantity for commercial purposes in the state.This is with the view to discouraged continues cutting down of trees in order to preventing ecological hazards that resulted from deforestation in forest reserved and parks
The source further revealed that attempt by the police operatives in Uke division returned the apprehended trucks to the police station, was unsuccessful as drivers of the trucks refused and told the police that the authority of Nasarawa State government was fully aware of their business.
The source also said from the heated argument that ensued between the trucks drivers and the police,the drivers however claimed that they have been paying the sum of N6000 and in recent forced to pay N10,000 per truck. “So by their claims one could assume that the state government inspite of the ban was in the know of the transactions,” the source said.
Reacting to what they adjudged as injustice meted to them,the spokesman of the drivers, one Mr Mecah Ways, told our reporter that they were initially paying N2000, which was before the state government placed the ban on production of charcoal in the state,he further claimed that leaders of the charcoal dealers met with the state government officials at lafia over the matter.
“So we have been doing our business and as well as paying for the charges to officials of Nasarawa State government, which later rose from N2000 to N6000.only for another increase in the revenue,where we started paying this week.
“Having left with no option, we started paying the new tax charges of N10,000.
“But to our greatest surprised we were stopped last night and our vehicles impounded by the police,” he said.
Contrary to the claims of thel trucks drivers,the commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Honourable Kwanta Yakubu ,disclaimed the receipt issued them(truck drivers),saying the receipt was fake.
The commissioner for environment and natural resources made the disclamation when addressing newsmen at the site of the impounded trucks in Uke, along Keffi- Abuja highway on Thursday.
Honourable Kwanta Yakubu said what instigated the action of the Nasarawa State government on the ban of charcoal production in any part of the state, followed President Muhammadu Buhari recent approval on the taking over of the Marhai forest reserved at wamba local government area,which will be used as a National park.
He added that with that development which promises so much benefits to the state government and the people” In January,I emphasized on the state resolved to enforce the total ban on production and use of charcoal in commercial quantity in the state, following the directive of the governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule.
He further explained that” However, elements engaged in this outlawed activity have continued to carry out this nefarious act in total disregard to Government directives.
“Their action is depleting our forest reserves on a daily basis to the extent that today ,it is painfully difficult to qualify some of the forest as truly reserve in status,” Kwanta added.
The commissioner also revealed that since the pronouncement of the enforcement of the ban,the ministry has apprehended culprit s at Akwanga, coming from wamba, Mararaban Akunza,coming from Obi and large haul in karu coming from Nasarawa and Toto LGAs.
Expressing government worriness,he said the act was tantamount to economic and environmental sabotage” To demonstrate our resolves,we will ensure that the full wrath of the law will be brought to bear on violators,” the commissioner assured.
And for the purpose of clarity,he said Nasarawa State government has never prevented and will not prevent local from picking twigs and branches of tress in their communities for immediate use as energy source of cooking and other domestic needs. But that the tasks of protecting Nasarawa State environment and it’s people is top priority to the administration of Engineer Abdullahi Sule, the executive governor of the state.
