The Oyo State House of Assembly on Thursday summoned Prof. Malachy Akoroda, the Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Oyo State, on the need to revive the institute.
This invitation followed a motion presented on the need to rescue CRIN from imminent collapse, by a member of the state assembly, Abiodun Wahab. Wahab, who is member representing Oluyole State Constituency, submitted that activities of the institute was grinding to a halt.
He complained that weeds have overgrown the institute’s research fields, laboratories and houses, where researches are expected to be conducted. He said: “The situation is worsened by complete collapse of the agricultural service unit that researches into the production of cocoa, kola and coffee wine among others.
“The institute has completely abandoned this mandate.
“Unless urgent steps are taken to revamp the institute, it might jeopardise government’s efforts of re-directing the economy from oil-based economy to agricultural dominated economy.”
The lawmakers noted that community leaders in Oluyole Local Government Area should also appear before the House.
The House also urged the member representing Oluyole Federal Constituency, Olusumbo Olugbemi, and the senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Senator Mosurat Sunmonu, to take up the case at the federal level.
The lawmakers also appealed to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to overhaul activities at the CRIN to make it more effective in discharging its mandates.
Meanwhile, the Speaker, Michael Adeyemo, has constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the funding of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.
This followed a motion moved by Solomon Akande, representing Ogbomoso South State Constituency.
Akande, in the motion, asked the House to summon the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Elijah Adebisi, to brief the House on the condition of the health institution. NAN.
IbadanMetro 