Nigeria Increase Livestock Security with Second Border Animal Quarantine Facility in Adamawa

News in Brief:

— FG launches new Border Animal Quarantine Facility in Adamawa for livestock import security weeks after the first one in Cross River.

— The facility is expected to increase disease surveillance in the over 10,000 animals imported through the Jaba-Jaba Route from Cameroon

The Federal Government has inaugurated another International Border Animal Quarantine Facility in Adamawa State, a few weeks after launching the maiden one in Cross River last month.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar, inaugurated the facility located at Jaba-Jaba, a Nigerian-Cameroonian border community in Maiha Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

This facility, built under the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, will provide a base to monitor, inspect, and ensure the biosecurity of imported livestock, helping spot and respond to animal health threats on time.

As the second international border animal quarantine centre established under the initiative, it will support the mission that began with the facility at Nfum in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Nigeria to Check Risky Livestock Imports

According to Mukhtar, over 10,000 cattle herds enter the country weekly through the route from Cameroon, Sudan and the Central African Republic. 

The minister noted that some of these imported animals are uncertified, sick and risky for Nigerians, who could be exposed to various animal diseases that can threaten their health and lives. 

The facility, he said, is a significant development in Nigeria’s efforts to improve animal health and advance livestock production across the country.

“The facility will reduce the risk of transboundary animal diseases that threaten livestock production, public health and food security, as well as the national economy,” he revealed.

He assured that the Federal Government is committed to its plan of setting up more of these border quarantine facilities in states like Borno, Niger, Kano, Kebbi and Sokoto.

Speaking at the event, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, represented by his deputy, Kaleptawa Farauta, commended the federal Government for siting the Facility in Adamawa State.

She said, “Adamawa has the highest number of cattle herds in the country,” adding that the state government had invested significant resources in transforming the livestock sector.

Farauta appealed to residents of the border community to safeguard the facility and cooperate with authorities to ensure it operates effectively.

Facility to Boost Livestock Disease Surveillance

Also speaking at the event, National Coordinator of the L-PRES Project, Sanusi Abubakar, described the inauguration as another important achievement in the implementation of the World Bank-supported programme.

Abubakar explained that the facility was developed under the project’s Innovation and Institutional Systems Strengthening component to reinforce the statutory responsibilities of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), particularly in preventing the introduction of diseased animals into Nigeria.

With the centre’s modern facilities, including a large-animal holding pen, solar-powered water supply system, spray race, cattle dip, cattle crush, office spaces and training facilities, the coordinator noted that it will improve disease monitoring and livestock traceability, while supporting pastoral advisory services through geospatial technology.

According to him, the facility is also expected to contribute to peaceful relations between livestock owners and farming communities.

He added that the infrastructure would enhance operational effectiveness, promote animal welfare and strengthen Nigeria’s ability to prevent and control transboundary animal diseases.

In addition to the quarantine facility, the minister inaugurated a Model Veterinary Clinic in Jaba-Jaba and the Strategic Artificial Insemination Centre at Adamawa State University, Mubi.