Reps Move To Overhaul Livestock Sector, Probe Unpaid Bird-flu Compensation

The House of Representatives has stepped up efforts to overhaul the livestock sector and resolve long-standing delays in compensation for farmers affected by bird flu outbreaks.

At a public hearing on six livestock bills related bills in Abuja, the Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, Wale Raji, said the new bills under consideration would establish livestock colleges and research institutes to improve training, research and animal production nationwide.

Mr Raji said the proposals form part of the National Livestock Transformation Plan and are intended to expand capacity in animal husbandry and veterinary sciences.

He also confirmed that lawmakers are probing the non-payment of compensation to poultry farmers whose birds were culled during avian influenza outbreaks.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Chinyere Akujobi, Represented by Dr Adeniyi Adedoyin
disclosed that the hearing that the government still owes ₦498.7m to 307 verified farmers affected between 2021 and 2023.

Although ₦3.16bn had previously been paid to more than 1,000 farmers in earlier outbreaks, recent payments have stalled due to limited funding.

A new case in Wukari, Taraba State, resulted in more than 2,000 birds being destroyed, with compensation yet to be processed.

The ministry said delays have persisted partly because there has been no emergency fund for animal diseases since 2021.

Under a revised compensation model approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2022, the federal government is to cover half the costs, state governments 25%, and farmers the remaining 25%.

Only small holder farmers with fewer than 3,000 birds qualify for support without mandatory insurance.

One of the bills proposes establishing a Federal College of Animal Husbandry in Ka’oje, Kebbi State.

Its sponsor, Bello Ka’oje, said the institution would promote innovation and training, boost livestock productivity and support national food security.

He noted that Nigeria lags behind countries such as Egypt, Kenya and Ethiopia in milk and meat production, ranking 94th and 33rd globally, respectively, despite its vast livestock potential.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji