Following the non-compliance of farmers to the stipulated Bio-security measures aimed at curbing the spread of the Avian Influenza Virus affecting poultry farms across the country, the Federal Government has announced that it will henceforth stop the payment of monetary claims to owners of 491 poultry farms.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Arc Sonny Echono, who disclosed this during a meeting with stakeholders in the poultry industry at the headquarters of the ministry in Abuja said the compensation package has made many farmers relaxed in conforming with the laid down Bio-security measures.
He stated that the contentment of the farmers with the situation, had resulted in the resurgence of Avian Influenza, popularly known as bird flu, stressing that the disease had spread to 21 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The resurgence of Avian Influenza as of today has spread to 85 local government areas in 21 States and the FCT, affecting 491 farms and resulting in the depopulation of 1,597,191 birds, and requiring compensation claims of N1.119bn to the affected poultry farmers.” Echono said
Narrating the control measures undertaken by the Federal Government, the Permanent Secretary said it had procured containment inputs for depopulation and decontamination, and had distributed the facilities to all States and the FCT.
“Since the first confirmed outbreak on the 5th of January, 2015 in a commercial farm in Kano and a live bird market in Lagos, we have put in place proactive strategies aimed at rapidly containing the spread of the poultry disease. They include; depopulation and decontamination of affected farms/birds, movement restriction of poultry and poultry products, enforcement of Bio-security measures in farms and payment of compensation.
“Although, these initial strategies put in place succeeded and resulted in non-reporting of outbreaks nationwide for about eight weeks (May and June), the disease thereafter has continued to spread to mainly the Southern States and the latest outbreaks were reported between July and September, 2015 in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Enugu, Abia, Rivers and the FCT.” he noted.
Echono said the new outbreaks were attributed to nonconformity with Bio-security measures in the farms, limited awareness creation on the disease among poultry farmers, disregard for public policy on sitting of poultry farms and other enforcement protocols, which were expected to be implemented by the State Veterinary Services.
The Permanent Secretary further explained that N380m had been paid to 138 farmers as compensation, while additional N263m had been verified by the technical consultants appointed by the World Bank for the payment of 103 farmers.
He noted that N643m was the total fund committed and it was for 246 farmers, adding that N476m was the outstanding fund for the payment of the remaining 250 farmers.
The Federal Government while urging the affected States to adhere strictly to the laid down principles on how they should handle issues relating to the spread of the disease and its control, noted that “Poultry Associations in States have not been up and doing with regard to assisting the States officials in the efforts aimed at curtailing the spread of the disease through adequate sensitisation and awareness creation.
“Compensation shall be suspended pending substantial progress on Bio-security and other containment measures by the Poultry Association of Nigeria and State Veterinary Services.”
The Permanent Secretary warned that if the non-compliance with Bio-security measures in the poultry farms continues, Nigeria might be declared an Avian Influenza endemic nation.
Avian Influenza is a virus disease of poultry that has negative impact on both the economy and public health.
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