PRESS RELEASE:FCTA Vaccinates Over 20,000 Livestock---Minister

In a bid to boost activities in the livestock industry and ensure sanity in the handling of animal products in the Territory, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has successfully vaccinated over 20,000 livestock in the Territory.

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja during the national conference on the transformation of the Nigerian livestock industry.

His words: “Recently more than 20,000 livestock were vaccinated in a two-week intensive campaign carried out by the FCT Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat. Also, the Administration has successfully combated diseases such as Bird Flu and Army Worms.”

Malam Bello who was represented at the occasion by FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa further revealed that the Administration is collaborating with the Cattle Breeders in the Territory to fashion out cutting-edge solutions to the challenge of cattle rustling and illegal grazing in the city.

The Minister remarked that as part of efforts aimed at mitigating the challenge of illegal grazing in the Territory, the Administration had already constituted a high-powered ministerial committee to fastrack the development of the four grazing reserves provided in the FCT Master Plan.

Malam Bello said: “The FCT Administration has proactively set up a Ministerial Committee on the development of the 4 Grazing Reserves provided for in the FCT Master Plan. Furthermore, discussion is on with Danish Company for the development of the Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve into a world class reserve as a model while provision has been made for adequate compensation to the affected farmers.”

In his remark, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe  said the conference is apt and expressed hope that it will address all the aspects of solutions required in the enhancement of livestock industry.

Chief Ogbe further explained that President Muhammadu Buhari led government is making serious efforts to ensure that the livestock industry becomes the mainstay of the nation’s economy.

Senate Committee Chairman on Agriculture, Senator Abdullahi Adamu who also spoke during the event canvassed for policies and programmes aim at promoting the livestock industry.

Tony Odey
Press Secretary,
Permanent Secretary’s Office