Flags off mass treatment, vaccination
As part of the efforts by the FCT Administration to ensure food safety and prevent the outbreak and spread of livestock-borne diseases in the Territory, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has fl agged off the 2018 Mass Vaccination and Treatment exercise for livestock. Bello, who was represented at the event which took place at the FCT Veterinary Clinic, Gwagwalada, by the Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS) of the FCT Administration, Nzekwe Stanley Ifeanyichukwu.
He reiterated the commitment of the FCTA towards assuring residents that only healthy livestock safe for human consumption were available in the markets within the Territory. He said: “The FCT Administration through the Agriculture Secretariat has been carrying our various animal health programmes such as the campaign against Avian infl uenza, the vaccination of sheep and goat against goat catarrh and this exercise is a preventive measure to protect our livestock from contacting the various diseases and It will be carried out all through the nooks and crannies of the FCT where we have cattle sheep and goats.”
He also urged livestock owners in the Territory to take advantage of the exercise by bringing their cattle, goats and sheep for the vaccination. According to him, this will enable them to breed healthier livestock that will have prolonged life and produce more milk and healthier off spring.
He however, commended the area councils for their support and assured them that the Minister “is very passionate about the agriculture sector; which is why he has given approval for the provision of all the necessary logistics towards the success of the exercise and ensure that no livestock is left out in the exercise.” Speaking earlier, the chairman, Gwagwalada area council, Alhaji Mustapha Adamu Danze, assured the Minister that the Council “will mobilise its agricultural officers to work to provide support towards the success of the exercise.” Also speaking, the Head of Veterinary Services in the Agric Secretariat, Dr. Mrs. Regina Adulugba, reminded the Fulani herdsmen and other stakeholders in the livestock business on the importance of the exercise.
