The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has commenced a fresh round of tsetse fly surveillance and pest control operations in Abia State as part of efforts to curb trans-boundary pests and improve livestock production across the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones.
The exercise, which began on June 29, is part of the ministry’s nationwide surveillance and control programme covering the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the FMLD team to the Abia State Ministry of Agriculture in Umuahia, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbeze, said the state government was collaborating with the Federal Ministry to combat tsetse flies and other pests affecting livestock production.
Agbeze, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Adamma Aguwa, said the partnership underscored the commitment of both the federal and state governments to reducing the impact of pests on livestock and agricultural productivity.
He said the initiative would help improve crop and livestock yields while strengthening food security in the state and across the country.
The commissioner assured the team of the ministry’s support, adding that officials had been assigned to guide them to locations where the surveillance and pest control activities would be carried out.
Earlier, the Team Lead of the FMLD Tsetse Fly Surveillance and Control Project, Mr Gilbert Okoro, said the team was in Abia to conduct surveillance and control operations aimed at curbing the spread of trans-boundary pests, particularly the tsetse fly.
Okoro explained that the insect transmits trypanosomiasis, a disease that affects cattle and can also cause sleeping sickness in humans.
According to him, the disease reduces milk and meat production, weakens livestock and poses significant public health and economic challenges.
He said the project aligns with the World Health Organisation’s One Health Initiative, which promotes integrated approaches to improving human, animal and environmental health.
Okoro said the nationwide project had already been implemented in the North-East geopolitical zone, adding that Abia was selected to represent the South-East, while Akwa Ibom would serve as the project location for the South-South zone.
He added that the surveillance exercise in Abia would cover the state’s three senatorial districts, including Aba in Abia South, Umuahia in Abia Central and Lokpanta in Abia North.
Following the meeting, the FMLD team visited the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Umudike, to finalise arrangements for the commencement of surveillance and pest control activities in Umudike and other parts of the state.
Officials present during the visit included the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Vitus Nwokoh; the Director of Livestock and Fisheries, Mr Victor Obasi; the Director of Epidemiology, Dr Onu Nwokedi; and the Head of Media and Information, Mrs Oluchi Franklin.
