Avian Influenza: Nigeria protects N1.6 trillion-Poultry Industry

The Nigerian government has taken action to protect the country’s N1.6 trillion-poultry industry from the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza with the approval of the Revised Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Abubakar Mahmood, stated this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council presided over by Nigeria’s Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

Recalling the 2006 outbreak of bird flu in Nigeria, which led to the loss of about 1.2 million birds, Mahmood said there was need to take proactive measures to protect the country’s poultry industry.

“This is a highly pathogenic viral infection that is so contagious and zoonotic, meaning it can go from animals to humans and can cause death and can cause sickness.

“So the previous policy was put together by experts back in 2005, in order to contain quickly any kind of outbreak of bird flu.

“But the sector has grown so much with additional importation of maybe new and exotic birds, therefore, the need to revise this policy and produce a new one that will conform with the current happenings in the industry.

“That is why this new policy is being put forward by the ministry and it’s the same. I mean, it’s called the Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan to contain any future occurrence,” said the Agric Minister.

Pointing out that the Nigerian poultry industry has grown to a population of over 165 million birds and is worth about N1.6 trillion, Mahmood said it is the main employer of 70% of the country’s population, who live in the rural areas.

“So the objective here is to make sure we have a robust preparedness plan in case of any additional outbreak.

“Even currently, we have sporadic periodic outbreaks plaguing the industry, which is why we have to upgrade to make sure we’re always ready to move on. 

“The addition to this new policy, also, is the establishment of centres that will cater for issues of compensation to poultry farmers in the country.

“This is basically what the new policy is all about and has just been approved by the Federal Executive Council,” said Mahmood.

Space Museum and Planetarium

The Federal Executive Council also gave its approval to a private firm to upgrade, equip, operate and market the Space Museum and Planetarium of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASDRA) for a period of 15 years.

Minister of Science and Technology, Sen. Adeleke Mamora, stated this while briefing State House correspondents after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.

Mamora said he presented a memo to the Council, seeking to secure partnership on the project.

He said that President Buhari had at the National Space Council meeting in 2022 directed the Director-General of NASDRA to explore and exploit collaboration with the private sector.

“So an unsolicited proposal came from a Nigerian company – a private company in Nigeria-  leading to the necessary processes in terms of outline business case and full business case, ensuring compliance with all the requirements needed to present the memo before the council, which we did this morning.

“Fortunately, the memo was approved, and of course the cost of the project is about N3.5 billion and it’s at no cost, and I mean, no cost to government.

“And the project will last for about 15 years when thereafter it reverts to the federal government. The buildings that are being referred to are located at the NASDRA premises here in Abuja.

Mamora said that the project would provide jobs for over 200 people and offer opportunity for long learning experience in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.