The Nation Newspaper

Tag: outbreaks

  • Wike blames outbreaks of violence in Rivers on oil companies

    Wike blames outbreaks of violence in Rivers on oil companies

    Governor Nyesom Wike believes the international oil companies are hugely responsible for the increasing culture of cultism in the state.

    Wike whose state witnessed the murder of 17 people on New Year eve on their way back home from the cross-over service, said oil companies in the state were awarding surveillance contracts to cultists who in turn use the money to buy sophisticated weapons with which they terrorise the communities.

    The 17 were shot dead at Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area allegedly by cultists.

    The governor who spoke while receiving Interior Minister Abdulrahman Danbazzau claimed that the security agencies knew the cult kingpins terrorizing the residents.

    “The security agencies have the profiles of all cult kingpins in different parts of the state and they know their locations,” he said.

    He accused Police Inspector general Ibrahim Idris of failing to heed several requests made by the Rivers government for the deployment of special squads to tackle cultism and kidnapping in the state.

    He added: “There is no wisdom in the politicization of security. Insecurity can affect anybody. You can never know the next victim of insecurity.

    “The peculiar nature of Rivers State requires peculiar intervention.

    “Before now, I have been shouting that we need support to fight crime.”

    The governor attacked politicians whom he said were using the killings to play politics and make false allegations against the state.

    Danbazzau said he was directed by President Muhammadu Buhari to visit the state and assess its security situation because of the killing.

    The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Mr. Dakuku Peterside, who hails from Rivers had attributed cult-related killings in the state to backing from powerful politicians.

    He particularly blamed Governor Wike for the situation because, according to him, the governor “lacks the capacity and competence to guarantee the safety and security of Rivers people.”

    Continuing, Peterside, who contested the last governorship election with Wike, said: “It is unfortunate that over 1,000 persons have been killed in questionable circumstances in the last two years under his watch. He should stop playing politics with the lives of Rivers peo

  • Sokoto moves against fire outbreaks

    Sokoto moves against fire outbreaks

    Sokoto city needs help. No thanks to incessant fire outbreak. No fewer than four cases are recorded daily in the metropolis. This has raised concerns among residents. Last year, there were 481 outbreaks recorded in the state. Eleven people died. Properties worth N2.6 billion were lost.

    Commissioner for Home Affairs Alhaji Sadeeq Isah Achida and the Director-General, Sokoto Fire Service Department, Allhaji Murtala Muhammad, said plans were on top gear to embark on extensive public enlightenment campaign to tackle the menace.

    The Fire Service Department boss said the campaign was necessary considering the increase in the cases of fire outbreak in the state. Muhammad said the campaign would be in the 23 local government areas of the state. This, according to him, was to complement the state government’s efforts.

    He said the government had provided 17 fire fighting engines, several water tanks and two additional water centres, among others.

    He said the Aminu Tambuwal administration had approved the establishment of additional eight fire service stations with manpower and equipment, adding “currently there are four functional fire fighting stations in Gwadabawa,Wurno,Tambuwal and Bodinga.”

    Muhammad added that plans were on to repair all broken down fire engines and water tankers across the 23 local government areas.

    He called on the people, especially mothers, to always put off electrical appliances after use to avoid fire outbreak, assuring that the Department would continue to promptly react to fire outbreaks.

    He also said in its efforts to improve the capacity of the fire fighting personnel, employees were trained in Kano and Abuja.

  • How to avert animal disease outbreaks, by expert

    Former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Prof Abiodun Adeloye, has suggested proper monitoring of farm animals as a way of checking disease outbreaks across the country.

    According to him, disease outbreaks among farm animals can cause significant economic damage.

    Adeloye said the spread of livestock diseases could increase without supporting infrastructure to effectively service livestock farmers.

    Reacting to the incidence of monkey pox, the don called for solutions to help farmers understand and manage livestock disease challenges.

    He urged stakeholders to develop new standards in the provision of planned livestock health and building skills of early identification of cattle disease. The livestock diseases had a devastating impact on productivity, trade in live animals, meat and other animal products.

    According to him, the negative consequences extended to human health and consequently, economic development. He urged the farmers and the government to follow biosecurity procedures, such as cleaning and disinfecting premises and vehicles.

    These plans include designating affected premises, setting up protection and surveillance zones, and controls on animals movements.

  • Lagos to partner trade groups to reduce fire outbreaks

    The Lagos State Government has said it will partner  trade associations to curtail incidence of fire outbreaks in the markets, which results in losses for artisans and tradesmen across the state.

    Speaking with The Nation, the  Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment,Mr. BabatundeDurosimi-Etti, said the state was ready to work with trade associations on enlightenment campaigns.

    He stressed the need for businesses to examine their operations and take safety precautions mitigate the impacts and losses caused by fire outbreaks.

    The Commissioner said the government hasd made tremendous progress with  the  compulsory Health Insurance Scheme for residents to ensure adequate healthcare services, which artisans and tradesmen will benefit from

    The scheme would enroll a family of six including the mother, father and four children. The premium will be paid in monthly installments. The family is expected to pay N40, 000 yearly as premium,  N3, 333 monthly.

    However, there are allowances for single or unit enrolments. The premium for single enrolment is N8, 500 per annum, which is N708 premium monthly. Payment platforms will be multi-media and can be made through the phone, community and banks.

    Durosimi-Etti explained that artisans were expected to be residents of the state and must have Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) cards to benefit from this scheme.