The Taraba State Government has initiated the fumigation of ornamental flowers along major streets in Jalingo, the state capital, to safeguard them from destruction by wandering livestock. Hon. Iliya Kefas, chairman of the Taraba State Environmental and Sanitation Agency, announced the development on Saturday following the conclusion of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
According to Hon. Kefas, the agency secured formal approval from the state administration to apply chemical treatments to the greenery as part of broader measures to drive the Green Taraba beautification campaign. The intervention comes in response to ongoing challenges with stray cattle, sheep, and goats damaging plants, obstructing traffic, and undermining urban cleanliness.
Why are authorities fumigating the street flowers?
The primary objective of the exercise is to protect public infrastructure and beautification efforts from unchecked animal grazing. Authorities noted that livestock roaming freely through urban areas not only cause traffic bottlenecks and environmental disorder but also feed on newly planted flowers meant to improve the aesthetic appeal of the state capital.
What warnings have been issued to livestock owners?
Kefas sternly cautioned herdsmen and livestock owners to adopt ranching practices and restrict the movement of their animals. He explained that the chemical substances being sprayed on the plants are highly toxic and could cause the death of any animal that ingests them.
“Apart from creating environmental disorder and traffic obstruction, capable of making the state capital unhygienic and causing other related problems that could endanger residents’ lives, the straying animals are destroying the street flowers meant to beautify the state metropolis," Kefas stated. "We are currently fumigating the flowers against these roaming animals to enable us to succeed in our drive for a Green Taraba. The state government has given us approval to fumigate the plants. We urge owners of the animals to ranch them and restrict their movement to avoid exposing them to the chemicals. The chemical is harmful, and when consumed, the animals could die."
Earlier in the year, the environmental agency had issued ultimatums warning livestock owners to keep their animals off metropolitan roads or face arrest and legal prosecution for traffic and sanitation violations. The latest measure adds a chemical deterrent to ongoing enforcement policies regarding open grazing within urban zones.
Community and youth involvement
Meanwhile, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who took part in the monthly sanitation drill commended the government's cleanliness initiatives. Master Victor Adejo, the Corps Liaison Officer for Jalingo Local Government Area, alongside Miss Juggling Anthony, president of the Gender and Charity Vanguard, expressed satisfaction with participating in the environmental exercise. They encouraged local residents to support the sanitation agency's policies to maintain a clean, healthy, and orderly environment throughout Taraba State.