By Laide Akinboade, Abuja 

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Thursday, said its commitment to ensuring the security of Abuja, was the utmost reason for the periodic demolition of shanties and other illegal structures that aided criminal activities.

Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah made this known to journalists during the cleanup exercise at the Idu area of the federal capital.

Ikharo also condemned the building of makeshift houses at road junctions and at green areas by the illegal occupants of Idu.

“Such structures shall be demolished,” he said.

According to him, the structures that were demolished contravened the city’s urban and regional planning acts, and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board Acts.

“People see every busy junction, empty lands, as a place where they can just put shanties, thereby endangering the lives of other legal residents.

“Worst still, is that some of these structures served as hideouts for criminals; so when we succeed in removing these illegal structures, we would not have only restored the city’s master plan, but we would have also won the war against crime,” added Ikharo.

Speaking, the Head, Monitoring and Enforcement, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Kaka Bello, decried the stealing and vandalization of public properties in the area.

“As we can see the drainage manholes have been stolen; these cost the government a lot of money to provide. Aside from that it portends negative implications for the environment. It is an eyesore for a city like this, and we won’t allow this!” Kaka vowed.

Also speaking, the Field Coordinator, FCT Special Ministerial Committee on Transportation and Public Nuisances Olumiji Peter, said the demolition being carried out was essential.

“Some criminals lurk in these shanties, and they come out at night to rob innocent people of their valuables,” he said.

An occupant of one of the demolished shanties Sadiq Abubakar, said he is a native of Zamfara State, married to two wives, and has six children.

“I want to appeal to the government to give us space to sell and repair things. I don’t want to go into kidnapping,” Sadiq said.

An agriculture expert Ismail Olawale, has lauded the adoption of disease-resistant maize by local farmers to boost productivity.

Olawale, a fellow at the National Agriculture and Extension Research Liaison Service (NAERLS), said this in Lagos yesterday.

The Federal Government, in partnership with Export Trade Group and Nigeria Agro Inputs Dealers Association recently, unveiled disease-resistant hybrid maize seeds to boost crop production.

Olawale, said the disease-resistant maize variant has been in existence for a while but proper adoption will yield increase growth of the sector.

“The recently launched disease-resistant maize hybrid is not a new innovation in the agriculture circle.

“The disease-resistant maize is a improved variety of maize which has been in existence and circulation for more than 7 years now.

“NEARLS in collaboration with the Institute of Agriculture (IOA) and other agric. research institutes have been promoting some of the varieties of these improved seeds.

“They have developed and promotes the adoption of the Stress-tolerant and drought-tolerant maize also for better productivity.

“The disease-resistant maize is a variety in these classes of maize. This maize category is an improvement on what IITA developed about some 4 or 5 years ago,” Olawale said.

In addition the expert said, aside increasing productivity of the produce, the maize variant will help prevent disease infestation of crops.

“This maize variety help present disease such as aflatoxin which makes the crop has some carcinogenic contents.

“The disease-resistant maize is great innovation that will help farmers boost production and cut losses.

“However with the adoption of this maize variety by local farmers, we must also put into consideration the off takers of the produce.

“The whole value chain should be sensitised on the adoption of the disease-resistant maize, so they could be sold off easily.

“If the volume of productivity is high and there is no market for it, then the essence of the innovation will be futile,” the expert said.

He also called for appropriate training of the farmers for adherence to the right procedures in cultivating the disease-resistant maize to get the desired results.

“The development of these seeds is done in confined laboratory with improved technology and the ability of farmers to apply some of these stringent and complex procedures.

“There are lots of things the farmers need to do to get the desired results of the disease-resistant maize,” he said. 

The Plateau State House of Assembly screened and confirmed Fibian Agwo as the Executive Secretary, Plateau States Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency.

The action follows a communication from Plateau Gov. Simon Lalong as presented by the Speaker of the House Yakubu Sanda during plenary.

The lawmakers slated April 4 for the second reading for a bill for a law to establish the Office of the Surveyor General of Plateau.

The bill is aimed at boosting land management in the state is sponsored by Saleh Yipmong, Deputy Speaker of the assembly.

Also during plenary, the lawmakers considered a bill for a law to establish the Plateau State House of Assembly Service Commission law.

The house is to repeal the existing Plateau State House of Assembly Service Commission law 2003, as presented by the Majority Leader, Daniel Naanlong.

The legislators fixed March 29 further deliberations, alterations and addition to the bill as observed by members during the plenary