5,000 youths and women across Kaduna State are set to get jobs as Governor Uba Sani on Thursday launched an environmental initiative aimed at strengthening sanitation and improving public health across the state.
The programme, known as Operation TSAFTA, was unveiled at an event where the governor also announced that an additional 7,000 jobs would be created in the coming months as the initiative expands.
Speaking at the launch, said his administration has procured essential equipment to support the programme, including Roro bins, dustbins, water tankers and appropriate personal protective equipment for workers.
“These resources are intended to enhance operational effectiveness, improve safety for workers, and ensure that sanitation activities are carried out in a professional and sustainable manner,” the governor said.
He explained that the initial phase of Operation TSAFTA would focus on four local government areas that are “currently experiencing significant environmental stress arising from rapid urbanisation, increased commercial activity and population density.”
According to him, “lessons learned from this phase will guide expansion to the remaining local governments in due course.”
Governor Sani described the initiative as “a practical response to the environmental pressures that accompany population growth, urban expansion and economic activity,” adding that it reflects his administration’s resolve to tackle these challenges with purpose and coordination.
He stressed that a “clean and well-managed environment is fundamental to human health, economic productivity and social stability.”
“Operation TSAFTA is therefore not an isolated intervention, but part of a broader effort to embed environmental responsibility into governance and daily life across both urban and rural communities in ,” he said.
The governor commended the 23 local government councils, the Ministry for Local Government Affairs and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources for their roles in the programme.
“Effective governance depends on cooperation across institutions, and Operation TSAFTA demonstrates what can be achieved when agencies align their efforts towards a common objective,” he added.
Governor Sani said the programme creates opportunities for women and young people to engage in lawful and productive work while contributing directly to environmental cleanliness and public wellbeing.
“By linking environmental management with livelihoods, we are fostering a sense of ownership, encouraging responsible behaviour, and reinforcing the idea that environmental protection is a shared civic duty,” he said.
He noted that Operation TSAFTA aligns with his administration’s broader commitment to youth inclusion, skills development and shared participation in governance.
The governor disclosed that the programme prioritises private sector involvement in environmental management through partnerships with service providers and cleaning firms.
“Through the engagement of private service providers and competent cleaning firms, we are improving efficiency, professionalism and accountability in sanitation services,” he said.
“These partnerships are essential for building a resilient environmental management system that can adapt to growing demands and changing conditions,” he added.
He said the initiative will strengthen coordination, promote accountability, and support sustainable sanitation services across communities statewide effectively.
