By Stanley Onyekwere
In order to guarantee public health safety of Abuja residents, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through its Agricultural And Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS) will be joining hands with relevant regulatory bodies to identify and root out veterinary clinics that are operating illegally.
To this end, the FCTA called on residents to patronize public veterinary clinic Centres as well as other government approved clinics in the FCT.
This strategic measure was disclosed by Mandate Secretary, ARDS, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim, at the handover ceremony of Animal Health Centre Kuje, constructed and donated to the FCTA by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), yesterday, in Kuje Area Council of the Territory.
Ibrahim noted that what has been a concern to animal health practitioners over the years is the rise in cases of animal diseases with high mortality rate on animals. Equally worrisome is the fact that some of the diseases such as Rabies, Bovine tuberculosis, Brucellosis, Animal flu etc. are transmissible from animals to humans.
He said it is against this backdrop that FCT Administration has been putting in place measures to mitigate the outbreak and spread of animal diseases; such strengthening its disease surveillance system in high risk areas such as live bird and cattle markets, Veterinary clinics, abattoirs across the FCT to enhance speedy disease reporting and response.
He also added that the establishment of an ultra-modern Veterinary laboratory in Nyanya in collaboration with Alpha Zoetis Pharmaceutical Company has helped to enhance access of livestock owners in FCT to quality and affordable animal health care services.
On execution and donation of project by the FMARD, which is fully equipped with high quality facilities, the ARDS Boss said it is no doubt a testimony of the prominence that the Federal Government places on the agricultural sector, particularly on issues that relate to the delivery of quality animal health care and food safety.
He thanked the FMARD for the gesture, and gave assurance that the Secretariat will try to ensure the optimal use of the facility towards achieving its set objectives, and particularly appreciated the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON) Dr. Maimuna Habibu, who ensured the timely completion and delivery of the project to the FCT.
According to him: “Statistics have shown that because of the inherent social and economic benefits associated with livestock production and management, more and more Nigerians are getting involved in livestock production.
“It is our hope therefore that the strategic location of this project in Kuje Area Council which is renowned to be the food basket of the FCT will immensely benefit livestock owners not just in Kuje but the contiguous Area Councils.
“It may interest you to also know that, through the approval of the Honourable Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the Secretariat has begun a monthly clinical conference for veterinary practitioners in the FCT to review clinical cases and expose them to best practices in the identification, treatment and containment of animal diseases.
“You may recall that just over a week ago, the Secretariat mobilized about 90 Veterinary health personnel to kickstart the mass treatment of livestock in the 6 Area Councils of the FCT. I am glad to inform you that the exercise is ongoing without hitches as animal owners have been trooping out enmasse and fully cooperating with our officials.
“All these initiatives that have been put in place are in line with the promise made by the Administration to deliver world class services to FCT residents.”
