Taraba clerics express worry over illegal charcoal dealers, call on Governor Kefas to enforce law

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By Celestine Ihejirika, Jalingo

Taraba clerics mainly from TEKAN/ECWA bloc of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have expressed worried over the increase number of illegal charcoal dealers in the state and called on Governor Agbu Kefas to enforce punitive law against them.

The clerics say many are dying in silence as electricity, gas and petrol are now beyond the reach of the common man.

Leader of the group, Rev. Dr. Philip Micah Dopah revealed this during a special thanksgiving service last Sunday at CAN secretariat to mark the end of year/tenure of office as state chairman TEKAN/ECWA bloc for 10 years.

Dr. Dopah in his valedictory address made it categorically clear that current spate of hardship was no longer news to suffering Tarabans as the survival of people now depends on the hands of God, pointing out that unless urgent measures were taken, the state may be heading for more disaster with the presence of illegal dealers in the state.

Rev. Dopah who is also current interim Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) disclosed the aim of gathering to worship, appreciate and promote the gospel of God as well as thanking him for sustenance throughout the period under review.

“Let us make deliberate efforts, and kill the spirit of tribal Christianity, if the church must continue to survive in the next 30 to 50 years to come, let us love one another, pray for one another, carry each other’s burden and support the government of Dr. Agbu Kefas.

“We urge our beloved church community to extend the same support, encouragement and prayers to our successors, just as you graciously did for us. As humans, we err, but forgiveness is divine,” he said.