….urge for adequate compensation plan to farmers affected by bird flu
By Paul Effiong, Abuja
The House of Representatives is contemplating effective legislative measures to reposition Nigeria’s livestock industry even as it pledged readiness to resolve all lingering issue of unpaid compensation to farmers affected by avian influenza outbreaks.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Livestock Development, Hon. Wale Raji disclosed this during a public hearing about six livestock-related bills held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja yesterday.
In his welcome remarks, Hon Raji informed that the Bills is seeking to establish livestock colleges and research institutes across the country to improve animal production, veterinary research, and professional training.
According to him; “the initiative aligns with the National Livestock Transformation Plan and forms part of the legislature’s commitment to reposition the sector through science-driven policy and capacity building.
Earlier in his speech, the committee had emphasized that stakeholder engagement was very vital to ensuring the success of the proposed reforms in livestock development across the country.
The lawmaker further disclosed: “This public hearing provides a platform for stakeholders to make contributions that will promote livestock development, enhance productivity, as well as create employment opportunities,”
“We are also investigating the non-payment of compensation to farmers affected by the bird flu outbreak to ensure fairness, accountability, and justice for all the affected individuals.”
Meanwhile the lawmaker also used the opportunity to assure that his Committee would ensure that the hearing produces actionable outcomes that will strengthen livestock research, education as well as effective policy formulation and implementation across Nigeria.
At the occasion, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Chinyere Akujobi was represented by Adeniyi Adedoyin who while speaking maintained that the Federal Government is currently owing ₦498.7 million in compensation to 307 verified poultry farmers affected by avian influenza between 2021 and 2023.
According to the livestock ministry, Adedoyin while ₦3.16 billion had previously been paid to 1,055 farmers affected by earlier outbreaks, the recent batch remains unpaid because of paucity of funds.
He, however disclosed that a new outbreak is currently ravaging farmers in Wukari, Taraba State and has led to the depopulation of 2,050 birds, with compensation on farmers still being reviewed.
He, therefore revealed that since 2006, compensation payments have been made in several phases totaling over ₦3 billion, but the lack of an Animal Diseases Contingency or Emergency Fund, ADEF since 2021 has crippled timely responses.
“There has been no dedicated emergency fund since 2021, and most farmers have no insurance cover, as required by law,”
According to him, a revised compensation framework approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2022 now mandates the Federal Government to bear 50% of costs whiile states and farmers each contribute 25%.
He noted that only smallholder farmers with up to 3,000 birds qualify for federal support, while commercial farmers must maintain insurance coverage.
In his own contributions during the public hearing, the sponsor of one of the bills, Hon. Bello Ka’oje informed that the proposed establishment of the Federal College of Animal Husbandry, Ka’oje, would promote research, innovation, and training in livestock production even as he also described the choice of Ka’oje as strategic, given its prominence in animal farming.
He explained further: “This bill seeks to enhance livestock development through improved breeding, training, and innovation expressing optimism that when finally approve it will boost productivity, create jobs, and improve national food security across the state.
Consequently, the lawmaker lamented that despite Nigeria’s enormous livestock resources, the country is ranks 94th in milk production and 33rd in meat output globally stressing that Nigeria is behind countries like Egypt, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
He, consequently called on his colleagues and critical stakeholders to rise up in support of his bills maintaining that its the only pathway to economic diversification and rural development through a revitalized livestock sector in Nigeria.
