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Bird Flu: FG To Pay N145m Compensation To Affected Farms

By EDITOR
31 January 2015   |   11:00 pm
• 11 States Now Affected THE Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has disclosed that the government would compensate the 39 Poultry farms that were affected by Avian Influenza across the country with the sum of N145.145 million within 72 Hours.   Adesina made this disclosure on Wednesday at an emergency Stakeholders’…

• 11 States Now Affected

THE Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has disclosed that the government would compensate the 39 Poultry farms that were affected by Avian Influenza across the country with the sum of N145.145 million within 72 Hours.

  Adesina made this disclosure on Wednesday at an emergency Stakeholders’ meeting he held with State Commissioners and agriculture stakeholders in Abuja.

 Eleven states of Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Edo, Plateau, Gombe, Imo, Oyo, Rivers and Jigawa have now been affected.

  The Minister stated that over 100,100 birds have already been de-populated, hence, the role of the quarantine services has become very crucial.  He said to reduce the losses on the part of the affected poultry farmers, government pegged the rate value of each bird at N1,450.00.

  He emphasised the need to establish laboratory diagnostic facilities in all states, saying mobile laboratories would also be needed. He tasked the private sector to consider setting up laboratories to support government efforts.

  The Minister pledged government’s commitment in ensuring that the almost N700 billion investment in the poultry industry is protected and disclosed that the movement of non-commercial birds would be restricted within their zones. He assured Nigerians of government determination to contain the outbreak.

  Akinwumi said, “As at January 27th, 2015, the total number of birds exposed to the flu rose to 232,385 as against 139,505 recorded on January 21, 2015”.  He however assured Nigerians that Nigeria would successfully control the outbreak of the flu, working closely with State Governments, the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association and the Animal Science Association of Nigeria to put in place comprehensive measures to contain the spread of the flu. 

  He therefore called for mass effort on communication and sensitisation on bio-security measures and equally solicited the support of the media especially on accurate reportage, so as to avoid any panic situation.

  Adesina advocated a centralised information management structure, that is well co-ordinated. He called for urgent support from the World Bank, USAID, FAO and other Development Partners to assist  government efforts. 

  According to him, an Emergency Response Team, led by Dr. Junaidu Maina  has been set up and  would be  working actively in collaboration with Federal and State Ministries of Health .

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