FG Reaffirmed Its Commitment To Protecting Nigeria's Livestock Resources Through Sustained Disease Surveillance

Livestock farmers in Itam, Akwa Ibom State, have commended the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD), for prioritising the surveillance and control of tsetse fly infestation in vector-endemic communities across the state.

Speaking during a community  engagement exercise in Itam with the Farmers , the Chairman of Cattle Farmers at the Itam Cattle Domain, Alhaji Mohammed Adamu Mijiawa, expressed appreciation for the Ministry's intervention, describing it as timely and beneficial to livestock producers.

According to him, the initiative will significantly reduce the burden of treating livestock affected by tsetse fly infestation and improve animal health and productivity in the State. 

Alhaji Mijiawa explained that the cattle kept at the Itam Cattle Domain are primarily meant for sale and slaughter, noting that the location has limited space for the installation of tsetse fly traps. 

He, however, suggested that nearby Nwaniba would provide a more suitable location for the deployment of the surveillance and control equipment and pledged the full cooperation of livestock farmers with the Ministry's team.

The sensitisation team, led by Mr. Okoro Gilbert, visited the community as part of the nationwide flag-off of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development's Tsetse Fly Surveillance and Vector Control Programme aimed at reducing the prevalence of the disease vector and safeguarding Nigeria's livestock sector.

Earlier, the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Mrs. Ikankeabasi Ukpong, informed the cattle farmers that the Central Abattoir in Itam had been selected as one of the strategic locations for the surveillance exercise.

She explained that the Ministry was seeking the support and cooperation of livestock owners to enable field officers carry out surveillance activities that would facilitate effective intervention against tsetse fly infestation.

Mrs. Ukpong disclosed that,  Nigeria has identified twelve species of tsetse flies, with Glossina palpalis being the predominant species in the South-South geopolitical zone. She noted that the surveillance exercise would cover Uyo, Itu, Ibiono Ibom, Mbo and Oron Local Government Areas, where vector infestation has been reported.

She further stated that,  the exercise would involve the installation of tsetse fly traps, collection of vector samples for analysis, and targeted fumigation in identified endemic locations to reduce the spread of the vector and improve livestock health.

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development,  reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigeria's livestock resources through sustained disease surveillance, vector control programmes, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based interventions that enhance livestock productivity and strengthen national food security.

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