Animal healthcare: Minister inaugurates FCT Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory  

As part of efforts geared towards delivering quality animal health care services and strengthening the capacity of the Administration to respond swiftly to the prevention of emerging infectious diseases, the Federal Capital Territory FCT Administration has inaugurated Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

During the inaugural ceremony held in Nyanya, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, noted that the livestock sub-sector provides enormous business and commercial opportunities that could help facilitate job creation and poverty reduction as well as the attainment of food security and improved livelihood for the citizenry.

Anti-rabies vaccination
The Minister who used the occasion to flag-off the free anti-rabies vaccination campaign and distribution of inputs to livestock farmers in the Federal Capital Territory, also lamented that the economic and social viability of the livestock sector was threatened by the increasing outbreak of animal diseases particularly those that are highly communicable and zoonotic by nature.

According to her; “studies have shown that the majority of diseases that afflict animals are zoonotic, capable of causing not only huge fatalities in both animals and humans but economic losses as well.  

“In Nigeria, we have witnessed notable zoonosis such as Anthrax, Monkeypox and Ebola and other contagious diseases such as Rabies, Lassa fever, Avian Influenza, Rinderpest, Peste des Petits Ruminants amongst others”.  

Aliyu, however, pledged that the FCT Administration was leaving no stone unturned to ensure the sustenance of the sector through the implementation of innovative strategies to boost productivity and help enhance systemic capacity and preparedness to combat emerging and infectious animal diseases even before they occur.

She revealed that the Administration has concluded plans in establishing a Special Livestock Industrial Processing Zone in the Paikon-Kore grazing reserve, aimed at boosting the livestock production and processing, while promoting peaceful, mutually-beneficial economic partnerships between herders and pastoralists, creating jobs, and enhancing food security.

The minister commended all those that have contributed to the success of the veterinary diagnostic laboratory, particularly the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, on the milestone achievement of creating a vehicle for facilitating quick animal health care service delivery to the residents of the FCT, in line with the food security enhancement policy of the current administration.

The Ag. Secretary FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mr. Prospect Ibe, also emphasized the importance of the project, stressing that the implementation of innovative programmes would help to reposition the agricultural sector towards increasing food production and improving the livelihood of FCT residents.

Ibe further noted that prior to the establishment of this laboratory, the secretariat had relied on other institutions for test analysis and diagnosis, adding that with this development residents have the opportunity to access reliable laboratory services and getting test results in quicker time.

He, however, assured that in order to ensure the sustenance of this project, the secretariat has with the support of partners, exposed the Veterinary Doctors and Laboratory Scientists on the effective use of the equipment, while appealing to farmers and owners of animals to maintain hygiene where their animals are kept.

The highpoint of the event was the vaccination of animals against rabies and distribution of inputs to livestock farmers in the FCT.

Nneka Ukachukwu