The Taraba state government and National Environmental  Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency(NESREA), are set to fight the myriad of environmental problems facing Taraba state, which have taken a toll on the livelihood of the citizens.

The two bodies set the tone in Jalingo on Thursday at the commissioning ceremony of the NESREA Field Office in the state.

During the event, the Director-General, NESREA, Dr. Lawrence C. Anukam, stated that the environment was threatened which has a negative consequence on the health and socio-economic well-being of the nation. “Our environment is at the crossroad and fast approaching a tipping point. There is a direct relationship between the health of our people and the state of our environment. Protection of the environment makes for a healthier nation and hence a better socio-economic development. But overexploitation, abuse, degradation, and pollution of our environment will only spell doom and will be a big impediment in our quest to achieve sustainable development”, he warned.

He stressed that nobody was above the Laws of the land and that “defaulters must face the wrath of the Law”.

According to him, NESREA has 6 zonal and 24 State Field Offices nationwide and that the new Taraba office makes it 25.

Anukam added that “the establishment of NESREA Field Office in Jalingo provides a veritable springboard for cooperation and partnership with the state government, particularly in the area of environmental protection and sustainable development”.

Speaking during the occasion, the Taraba state Governor, Darius Ishaku, stated that Taraba was faced with a lot of environmental challenges, especially the cutting down of ‘rosewood’ popularly called ‘Madrid’ and that there was the need to collaborate with NESREA to curb the menace.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Anthony Jellason, Ishaku promises to enact a Law to check the cutting down of ‘Madrid’ in the state.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Environment, Rebecca Manasseh, disclosed the efforts of the Taraba government in establishing the office, saying Gov. Ishaku “did not only donate this structure but also provided funds for its renovation”.