As the clock struck 7:00 a.m., the usual morning rush in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, gave way to an unusual display of civic responsibility. Instead of the familiar movement of vehicles and pedestrians, residents, environmental workers and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members took to the streets, armed with brooms, shovels and other cleaning materials to give the metropolis a cleaner outlook.
From Narasawo Roundabout to Roadblock, Michelin and Mayo Gwoi, the monthly environmental sanitation exercise provided an opportunity for residents to contribute to the cleanliness of their immediate surroundings and the wider community.
The exercise, which was conducted peacefully, featured the sweeping of major roads, streets and public spaces, alongside the evacuation of refuse from designated disposal points. Workers of the Taraba State Environmental Sanitation Agency (TSESA), dressed in their official uniforms, were visible across different parts of the metropolis, coordinating and participating in the cleaning activities.
Adding colour and energy to the exercise were members of the National Youth Service Corps serving in Jalingo, who participated through the Environment Community Development Service (CDS). Their involvement underscored the importance of volunteerism and community engagement in addressing environmental challenges.
Beyond the physical activities of sweeping and clearing refuse, the sanitation exercise reflected a broader message: keeping a city clean is not solely the responsibility of government agencies but a collective duty requiring the commitment of every resident.
Speaking during the exercise, the Chairman of TSESA, Iliya Kefas Alhaji, commended residents for their compliance and participation, describing their involvement as encouraging.
He, however, warned that residents would not be allowed to roam the streets during the designated sanitation period, stressing the need for strict compliance with environmental sanitation regulations.
Alhaji also appreciated individuals who came out to participate in the exercise and urged residents to sustain the commitment beyond the monthly sanitation day, noting that maintaining a clean environment requires consistent efforts.
Monitoring the exercise, our reporter observed restrictions on vehicular movement during the sanitation period, while persons found violating environmental sanitation regulations were apprehended.
While the peaceful conduct of the exercise was encouraging, the real test lies in what happens after the sanitation period. Clean streets should not be a monthly achievement that disappears within days; rather, they should reflect the everyday attitude and environmental consciousness of the people.
For Jalingo to maintain its status as a clean and healthy state capital, residents must take responsibility for proper waste disposal, avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse, clear their surroundings and support government efforts towards environmental sanitation.
Ultimately, a cleaner Jalingo will not be achieved by brooms and enforcement alone. It will require a lasting partnership between government, communities, traders, motorists, civil society organisations and individual households.
The message is simple: A clean Jalingo begins with everyone.
By Keke Moses
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