JALINGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT INAUGURATES PESMDAA OFFCIALS
The Taraba State branch of the Petroleum, Environment, and Solid Minerals Degradation Awareness Association (PESMDAA) was recently inaugurated at the Jalingo Local Government Secretariat, where the new officials took their oath of office.
Inaugurated officials
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Aminu Jauro Hassan, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Taraba State, urged the newly appointed officials to carry out their duties with diligence and responsibility. He described PESMDAA as an organization aligned with Governor Agbu Kefas’ vision to combat environmental degradation. Dr. Hassan emphasized that the association supports the enforcement of laws banning illegal activities across the state. He noted that the emergence of these officials provides a platform for Jalingo residents to contribute to the governor’s efforts in addressing environmental challenges.
Dr. Hassan also highlighted the benefits of Governor Kefas’ administration, including enhanced security, free education in primary and secondary schools, and significant infrastructural developments, particularly in Jalingo. He appealed to the people of Jalingo to embrace peace and support the governor’s administration for continued progress.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner for PESMDAA, Prince Mohammed Hassan, commended the efforts of Governor Kefas and Dr. Aminu Jauro Hassan in their fight to eliminate degradation and irregularities in the petroleum, environment, and solid minerals sectors. He stated that the theme of the program, “Sensitization to Eliminate Degradation and Irregularities in the Petroleum, Environment, and Solid Minerals Sectors,” underscores the importance of a healthy environment. Prince Hassan emphasized that the future of communities depends on the sustainable management of resources.
In his closing remarks, the Chairman of PESMDAA in Jalingo Local Government, Pastor Zakariya Yohanna, expressed gratitude to all attendees, describing the inauguration as more than a ceremony but the birth of a movement rooted in accountability, innovation, and shared responsibility for the state’s environment. He noted that the discussions and connections made during the event were initial steps toward transformative changes in the petroleum, environment, and solid minerals sectors. Pastor Yohanna urged attendees to leave with a renewed sense of duty, stating, “The future we seek will not build itself; it will require our voices, actions, and unwavering dedication to confronting environmental degradation and promoting ethical practices in the petroleum and solid minerals sectors.” He added, “The journey ahead demands courage, collaboration, and consistency. PESMDAA stands ready to walk this path with you. Let today’s inauguration remind us that the power to protect our resources lies not in one hand but in many, united.”
In an interview, Pastor Yohanna explained that PESMDAA was established to tackle environmental degradation and illegal mining across Nigeria. The association aims to support government initiatives through education, sensitization, and awareness creation for stakeholders and grassroots communities. “Through the education and awareness created by PESMDAA, rural dwellers will learn how to protect their resources from illegal miners and understand the importance of the mineral resources in their domains,” he said.
