Snakes invade Plateau communities,

Snakes washed by flood into Kanke, Kanam and other communities in Plateau have bitten more than 50 people in the last two weeks.
The representative of the area at the House of Representatives, Timothy Golu, confirmed the development in Jos after visiting the victims.



Mr. Golu said that some had died while others in critical conditions were on admission in various hospitals and traditional snake treating homes.
He said that 13 victims were at Zamko clinic in Langtang, 20 in traditional healers’ treatment homes, seven in herbalists’ centres, while some visit the centres for daily treatment owing to lack of bed space.
“Some have even been treated and discharged, but a woman at my place, who has been treated and discharged, still has pus gushing from the bitten spot and we have advised her to return to the hospital for fresh checks.
“We fear that something worse may result from the wound if not properly treated because she is already limping,” he said.
Describing the situation as “very scary and pathetic”, Mr. Golu said that the snakes, who move openly and always in pairs, were washed into the communities by flood.
“As the flood pushed them from the over flown tributaries of Rivers Benue and Niger, some snakes climbed trees, others entered holes while some just held unto any available straw.
“All of them later descended into residences and farms where they have been wreaking havoc.”
He said that the commonest species were the black mamba, carpet viper and cobra, and declared that most victims usually depend on luck to survive.
Mr. Golu urged the Federal and Plateau Governments to treat the snake invasion as “a national medical emergency concern”, and give it the same response given to HIV/AIDS and the Ebola virus.
“Government must come in with full force and ensure that the anti-snake venom is provided to the people free of charge because it is too expensive for the rural poor.
“Other world health bodies like WHO and UNICEF should also step in because it is a serious situation that requires all hands on deck.”
The law maker also called on the federal and state governments to fumigate the homes, farmlands and the general environment of the communities to reduce the number of snakes, especially since they appeared to be reproducing.
He said that the fumigation would also reduce the number of crocodiles washed into the communities, pointing out that the weather of the area was naturally attractive to such reptiles.
Mr. Golu said that he had advised the people to use hand gloves and rain boots while on their farms to minimise the effect of the snake attacks.
“But even such precautions can only minimise the damage because some of the snakes just fly into their victims and knock them off before biting them.
“Others just splash their poisonous saliva into the faces of their victims and that is equally dangerous,” he said.
He said that the situation had led to other environmental concerns with waterborne diseases like typhoid and gastro enteritis becoming common, urging extra caution among the people.
Mr. Golu also suggested that traditional snake charmers should be supported to help the people.
“Some charmers have devices through which they attract the snakes and get them killed; such initiatives will reduce their number and need to be encouraged,” he said.
He said that the urban centres were not spared as a huge black mamba was killed in the Jos residence of a former member of the House of Representatives last week.

The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insists that former governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is not qualified to be appointed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is consequent upon the fact that the combined effect of Sections 66 (1) and 147 (5) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and read together, disqualifies Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers State from becoming a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In view of the foregoing, it is instructive to spell out the constitutional provision which states as follow:

Section 66 (1) (h) states thus: “No person shall be qualified for election to the Senate or the House of Representatives if he has been indicted for embezzlement or fraud by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry or a Tribunal set up under the Tribunal of Inquiry Act or a Tribunal of Inquiry Law or any law by the Federal Republic of Nigeria or State Government which indictment has been accepted by the Federal or State Government respectively”.

Furthermore, Section 147 (5) states thus: “No person shall be appointed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unless he is qualified for election as a member of the House of Representatives”.

Suffice it to hold that Section 147 (5) as spelt out above unequivocally states that what qualifies or disqualifies a member of the House of Representatives applies to a Ministerial Nominee, for which former governor Chibuike Amaechi is one.

The PDP hereby states that Hon. Justice George Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry indicted Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and the report is accepted by the Rivers State Government and the White Paper duly issued.

Against this background therefore, the PDP further insists and submits that by the provisions of the law as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi is not qualified to be a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed:

- See more at: http://nationloaded.com/amaechi-is-not-qualified-to-be-a-minister-pdp.html#sthash.pWigXaKM.dpuf

The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insists that former governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is not qualified to be appointed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is consequent upon the fact that the combined effect of Sections 66 (1) and 147 (5) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and read together, disqualifies Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers State from becoming a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In view of the foregoing, it is instructive to spell out the constitutional provision which states as follow:

Section 66 (1) (h) states thus: “No person shall be qualified for election to the Senate or the House of Representatives if he has been indicted for embezzlement or fraud by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry or a Tribunal set up under the Tribunal of Inquiry Act or a Tribunal of Inquiry Law or any law by the Federal Republic of Nigeria or State Government which indictment has been accepted by the Federal or State Government respectively”.

Furthermore, Section 147 (5) states thus: “No person shall be appointed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unless he is qualified for election as a member of the House of Representatives”.

Suffice it to hold that Section 147 (5) as spelt out above unequivocally states that what qualifies or disqualifies a member of the House of Representatives applies to a Ministerial Nominee, for which former governor Chibuike Amaechi is one.

The PDP hereby states that Hon. Justice George Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry indicted Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and the report is accepted by the Rivers State Government and the White Paper duly issued.

Against this background therefore, the PDP further insists and submits that by the provisions of the law as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi is not qualified to be a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed:

- See more at: http://nationloaded.com/amaechi-is-not-qualified-to-be-a-minister-pdp.html#sthash.pWigXaKM.dpuf

The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insists that former governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is not qualified to be appointed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is consequent upon the fact that the combined effect of Sections 66 (1) and 147 (5) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and read together, disqualifies Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers State from becoming a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In view of the foregoing, it is instructive to spell out the constitutional provision which states as follow:

Section 66 (1) (h) states thus: “No person shall be qualified for election to the Senate or the House of Representatives if he has been indicted for embezzlement or fraud by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry or a Tribunal set up under the Tribunal of Inquiry Act or a Tribunal of Inquiry Law or any law by the Federal Republic of Nigeria or State Government which indictment has been accepted by the Federal or State Government respectively”.

Furthermore, Section 147 (5) states thus: “No person shall be appointed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unless he is qualified for election as a member of the House of Representatives”.

Suffice it to hold that Section 147 (5) as spelt out above unequivocally states that what qualifies or disqualifies a member of the House of Representatives applies to a Ministerial Nominee, for which former governor Chibuike Amaechi is one.

The PDP hereby states that Hon. Justice George Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry indicted Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and the report is accepted by the Rivers State Government and the White Paper duly issued.

Against this background therefore, the PDP further insists and submits that by the provisions of the law as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi is not qualified to be a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed:

- See more at: http://nationloaded.com/amaechi-is-not-qualified-to-be-a-minister-pdp.html#sthash.pWigXaKM.dpuf