GROUND BREAKING OF LIVE BIRD MARKET
…AKSG INTENSIFIES AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION
To further encourage best veterinary practices and healthy birds for consumption, the Akwa Ibom state Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has today, November 24 laid the foundation for an untra-morden live bird market.
The brief exercise, which was performed by the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Mary Ukoette, Directors from the state and federal Ministry of Agriculture, practicing veterinary doctors, livestock farmers, farming groups and other related stakeholders, was held at AKADEP headquarters, Uyo.
Speaking shortly before performing the Ground breaking ceremony, Dr. Edet commended the Governor for his laudable strides in the Agriculture sector which according to her is a key component of his completion agenda.
“I want to thank the Governor because without his achievements in the Agricultural sector, I don’t think most of these projects and collaborations would have been brought to the state”.
“The Governor has not only concentrated on the crop sector, but also in the livestock sector. Akwa Ibom currently has the best abattoir in the country where every animal slaughtered for consumption are properly examined”, she stated.
The Agriculture boss added that the market when completed and commissioned will serve as a model market where poultry farmers will also come to learn best practices under the supervision of designated vertirinary doctors in the Ministry.
While also appreciating the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for partnering with the state to actualise the live bird market, she assured the attendees that sooner than later the centre will be ready for commissioning.
Earlier in her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Mary Ukoette extolled the Governor for his achievements in the agricultural sector through the Ministry and thanked the Hon. Commissioner for her sacrifices and creativity which according to her has benefitted farmers in the state.
The Zonal Director of vertirinary services ,Dr. Emmanuel Oton, noted that the Centre when completed and put to use will control disease outbreak in birds and promote modern techniques where birds will be treated and processed for healthy public consumption. He appreciated the Government for approving the construction of the ultramodern live bird market and also thanked the Commissioner for initiating the project and for being proactive in translating the vision of the Governor for farmers in the state.
Also speaking, the representative of the state Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , Dr. Bello Adekunle lauded the partnership of the Akwa Ibom Ministry of Agriculture with Veterinary doctors around the state which according to him has encouraged best practices and has marked the state top among other states with conducive environment for veterinary practices and charged the participants to protect the facility when commissioned.
Goodwill messages were received from the state Chairman, Nigeria Vertirinary Medical Doctors Association, Dr. Ofonime Ituen, State Chairman, AFAN, Prince Bassey Inwang and others who appreciated the collaboration of the state and Federal Governments for providing a live bird market for livestock farmers and assured the Commissioner of their continued partnership.
IBOM VOICE MEDIA 