soil |
The soil science bill presented to the National Assemble
almost a decade ago by the Association under the Leadership of Prof. Victor
Chude has finally been passed into law by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi
Osinbajo among five others last week.
By this bill, the soil mismanagement and abuses can now be
taken legally serious and the issue of soil test before application of any form
of fertilizers for right proportion application of Nitrogen, phosphorous and
ammonia has now become compulsory just as all courses relating to soil science
all colleges or faculties of agriculture in the universities and other
institutions have to be certified by the Institute of Soil Scientists, by the
time is solidly footed.
The bill sent to national assembly for approval had prayed
for an act to regulate the profession of soil science and to make provisions
for the establishment, functions and administration of the Nigeria Institute of
soil science and for related matters.
The functions of the Institute are to-
a.
Advice
on the standard of academic qualification and practical skill to be attained by
persons seeking to become registered as members, associates of fellows of the
Institute as the case may be.
b.
Regulate
the practice of the profession for the soil scientists.
c. Establish,
update and maintain a register of soil science practitioners under this bill
according to their various ranks and to regulate the prerogatives and
privileges pertaining to those ranks.
d.
Ensure
that soil practitioners in Nigeria uphold the ethics of profession and quaranree the sustainability of high quality soil.
e.
Advance
the education, science, technology and art of soil science and crop production
in collaboration with zonal co-coordinating Research Institutes.
f.
Promote
rapid sustainability of high quality soil through scientific methods, and
advise on soil related pertaining to soil management in Nigeria.
g.
Advice
and encourage the enactment and the enforcement of laws that will guarantee
efficient production and consistent supply of high quality food to Nigerians.
h.
Educate
the public on soil science activities.
i.
Co-operate
or affiliate with any relevant association either locally or internationally.
Before the bill was finally ascent with Presidential approval
by the Acting President, the bill has gone through several procedural scrutiny
at the Senate committee level of the national assembly where many amendments
are been carried out on the bill.
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