… As Expert says Family planning not population control***
Sen. Hezekiah Dimka (APC, Plateau Central) has condemned in strong terms, the continuous killing of people and the destruction of farmlands in Plateau by assailants.
Dimka, in a statement on Tuesday, said that week after another, communities of Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Jos South and Jos East local government areas had come under intense attacks.
Dimka, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, said that the trend had led to the destruction of farmlands and maiming of people in the most barbaric manner.
“I am aware that there has been apprehension concerning these incidents; there is untold hardship on the part of communities.
“The attack on Jebbu Miango on July 31 until morning of August 1, 2021 leaves much to be desired.
“From reports, over 10 people were massacred, their homes and farmlands desecrated recklessly.
“These are attacks that should not be glossed over. It is time to get things sorted out by ensuring that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice,” he said.
The lawmaker added that the attacks were not isolated cases going by the pieces of information that were circulated before the attacks took place.
He urged security agencies to be on top of the situation and end the attacks.
Dimka sympathized with the communities as well as ask that they be always provided adequate security.
Also read: Plateau Killings: 17 dead, 85 buildings burnt – Police Commissioner
Meanwhile, the senator said that he had not taken his attention away from the floods ravaging Kanam Local Government Area.
“Since July 28, 2021 when the news of the massive flood hit some parts of Kanam local government area, I have been disoriented given the suffering they are going through and what measures could be taken immediately to address these concerns.
“I recall that a few weeks ago several communities in the same local government area were devastated in the same manner.
“Hardly have we recovered from the pains than we are again hit by one that is far more devastating.
“I am shocked beyond words to comprehend what the people are going through from the consequences of the disaster that has hit some communities,” he said
He said he was informed that, hundreds of houses and farms were destroyed by flood in Bankilong, Birwa, Gomgom, Namaran, Gommadaji, Gobro, Kafel, Zamadede.
“On account of the tragedy in these areas, I can assure you that measures are being worked out in collaboration with the state to help the affected farmers and communities by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Plateau State Government and other spirited individuals,” he said.
According to him, it is unthinkable that people in the three federal wards would use all means available before they navigate their ways back to Kanam.
He further said that from the footages he saw, public investments such are schools were not left out of the thread of the flood.
Dimka appealed to the victims to be patient while awaiting urgent action particularly in the communities affected by the flood.
In another development, Prof. Emmanuel Lufadeju, National Coordinator, Rotary Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health (RMCH),has said that family planning is not an act of population control as misconstrued by some persons.
Lafadeju stated this in Jos on Tuesday when the Rotary RMCH donated family planning equipment through the state’s Ministry of Health to 10 selected health facilities.
The newsmen report that the equipment donated included disserting forceps and inserting forceps.
According to him, family planning is a method of spacing children and making sure that mothers are healthy before the next birth.
He advised mothers to space their children between three to five years to make family living better and also be in good health.
He noted that there are modern contraceptive methods by which birth spacing could be achieved, and that whenever the mother was ready to have another baby such could be removed and the woman would conceive.
The national coordinator said that family planning was not population control but designed to look at the growth rate and fertility management of families.
He pointed out that modern contraceptives had been improved on and the side effects reduced to the barest minimum.
The national coordinator further said that Rotary RMCH was focused on quality assurance in obstetrics to reduce the spate of maternal and newborn mortalities.
He added that the 10 selected facilities would also be given complimentary contraceptives in a month’s time.
Dr Ndam Lar, Plateau commissioner for Health who received the national coordinator and his team commended the Rotary RMCH for their donation, saying it would go a long way in improving the services of the family planning service providers.
Lar said that it would in turn reduce the spate of maternal mortality.
He called on the selected health facilities to ensure they make the best use of the equipment by ensuring it was used for the sole purpose of family planning.
He also cautioned against selling of the equipment.
