Wallowing in Debt

China launches an audit as local government debt swells WHEN the city of Detroit filed the largest municipal bankruptcy case in U.S.history,well-known economist Lang Xianping warned that the event was a wake-up call for Chinese cities,saying,＂China is probably facing 330 Detroit-like crises.＂ The popular economic commentator wrote on his Weibo microblog that the latest statistics released by the National Audit Office（NAO） in June put the average debt of the 36 local governments from which the statistics were drawn,at $17.4 billion.

Appraisal of the structure and facilities available in selected pig farm houses in Ondo State

A study was carried out to evaluate various pig housing units in six selected local government areas of Ondo State,specifically for their structural deficiencies and their effects on animal health.Five pig farmers were visited in each of the local governments.Questionnaires were administered and on the spot assessments of the housing systems and facilities and state of health of the animals were carried out.The data obtained were coded accordingly and were subjected to appropriate statistical analysis.It was observed that intensive system of housing is mostly practised and it constituted about 60%,semi-intensive housing method were about 17%and 23%were the extensive system type.The level of pig rearing is very low in the state;about 23%of the total number of farms kept between 11 and 20 pigs while less than 4%kept above 100 pigs.Furthermore,twelve farms kept exotic breed and nine farms kept local or indigenous breed,that is,40%and 30%respectively.Majority of the farms visited were infested with diseases that were identified as skin diseases,worm and swine fever.There were also losses due to high piglet mortality rate.The housing units were not properly constructed and had leaking roof due to weak construction materials used and the pattern of nailing.Floors were not cemented and there were inadequate provision of wallowing and feeding troughs.It is concluded that the problems encountered by the pig farmers in the study area was directly linked with structurally inadequate housing unit and it is therefore recommended that the housing units should be properly constructed with new corrugated zinc,well cemented floor and there should be adequate provision of wallowing units and feeding troughs.Farmers are advised to make use the services of professionals such as agricultural engineers who specialises in farm structure for the design and construction of their farm structures.