Agriculture

NSCDC Reiterates Commitment on Safety of Farmers, Food Infrastructure

By Web News 127

By Abisola Oluremi

The Oyo State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSDC Augustine Padonu has reiterated the commitment of the corps to prioritise the safety of farmers, agricultural assets, and food infrastructure. 

He stated this while delivering his keynote address at the agriculture stakeholders seminar organised by the Agro-Ranger Unit of the  Corps held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Ibadan. 

The NSDC commandant while noting that agriculture , a vital sector for food security is being confronted with persistent clashes between farmers and herders expressed the corps’ mandate to serve with integrity, discipline, and professionalism.

He said the corps through its Agro Rangers Squad in Oyo State had remained steadfast in its commitment to bridging the gap between security and agriculture. 

The NSDC commandant disclosed that the corps had settled six hundred and three disputes between farmers and herders from January to June this year. 

In a goodwill message, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye reminded farmers that the anti-grazing law, environmental law among others are still in  existing in Oyo state to regulate and forestall peaceful co-existence between herders and farmers. 

Mr Olasunkanmi said the state would continue to train farmers on the best way to grow grasses to feed their animals. 

Speaking on the topic, “Checkmating the Menace of Food Insecurity  and Cattle Rustling;The Active Roles of the Agro Rangers Squad, Dr Atunwa Sunday advocated the establishment of mobile court by the federal government for quick prosecution of erring farmers and herders

Dr Atunwa also urged government to strengthen the Agro Rangers Squad by providing necessary equipment to the officers to perform optimally. 

Some of the participants including Ade Odebunmi,Alhaji Yakub Bello, Abubakar Bani  suggested ranches, establishment of grazing routes  and de-arming of both herders and farmers as way out of incessant farmers/herders clashes in the country

Earlier, the Head of Unit, Agro Rangers, Alone Isaac said the seminar was organised to bring together stakeholders to forge partnerships and explore sustainable solutions between farmers and herders

The mandate of Agro Rangers Unit of NSDC is to protect farmlands and agricultural investments, safeguard farmers and agro workers, mediate and prevent violent conflicts, and support peaceful coexistence in agrarian communities. 

Environment

New Gbagi Pedestrian Bridge – Ditching Safety for Death

By Web News 477

By Olaitan Oye-Adeitan

If you’re asked, which will you prefer, to either take a longer but safer route to your destination or a shorter but risky one?

Certainly, responses will be different but, that is the question emanating from the scenario playing up at the New Gbagi International Market portion of the Ife -Ibadan expressway in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state.

For a very long time, pedestrians have formed the habit of crossing the highway via the road median rather than going through the pedestrian bridge meant for that.

This raises so much concern about people’s disposition to how much they value their lives.

Why would people abandon safety for a risky path? Some blame it on the collapse of the bridge some years ago when a heavy-duty vehicle lost control and rammed into it, resulting in its collapse. Others believe it is the usual attitude of many Nigerians to achieve their goals within the shortest and cheapest possible means.

One could recall that the government’s decision to construct was due to the high rate of mortality usually recorded on busy roads.

About a year ago, the pedestrian bridge was home to destitute and heaps of refuse and human excrement due to its abandonment by the people it was built for.

Consequently, a waste management consultant to the Oyo state government was employed to clear the bridge while sweepers were assigned to keep it tidy.

However, today, the bridge is  an eyesore with just one or two pedestrians making use of the bridge.,

It now comfortably harbours filth, stagnant water, and algae while the very few people using it have to tiptoe and meander around a mound of faeces to avoid being messed up.

Must the government’s effort and the huge amount of money expended on the bridge go down the drain? 

Where do we go from here?

Will the objective of ensuring the safety of all road users, through the use of pedestrian bridges, also be neglected?

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Technology

MASTS: OSHA Urges Network Service Providers to Prioritize Public Safety

By Web News 795

The Osun State House of Assembly has advised all Network service providers to always put human safety first in placing their masts.

Chairman, House Committee on Environment and Sanitation, Mr. Benjamin Ogundipe gave the advice during an oversight visit to the site of an erected telecommunication mast in Obalende town in Ipetu Ijesa, Oriade Local Government area of Osun State.

Mr. Ogundipe observed that citing masts and generators emitting dangerous fumes in residential areas is worrisome and dangerous to the health of the people.

He assured that the House would take measures to ensure safety of its people.

In his remark, the lawmaker representing Oriade State Constituency, Mr. Desmond Ojo noted that the major concern of the house is the safety and healthy living of the people especially the children and aged.

Mr. Ojo also urged concerned authorities to do the needful to put an end to toxic fumes emanating from the generator.

Some residents of the houses near the generator Mr. Alake George, Mrs. Bola Daramola and a widow, Mrs. Funmilola Damilare appreciated the good gesture of the committee to the environment.

They said some of residents have vacated their homes due to health challenges and fear of earth as the land shakes when the generator works.

Funmi Adekoya