Niger State Governor Abubakar Bello

The Niger Government says it will spend N19 million on free vaccination of livestock and pets to prevent, control the spread and transmission of diseases among them.

Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger made this known on Friday while inaugurating the 2019 annual animal vaccination in Tagwai, Bosso Local Government Area of the state.

Bello, who was represented by the Dep. Gov., Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, said that the measure would maintain animal health toward improving the quality of meat and well-being of other animals in the state.

“This year’s vaccination campaign is targeted at reducing the prevalence of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) reported to range from 14 to 25.3 per cent affecting 560, 000 cattle being one third of its population in the state.

“We have procured 700, 000 doses of CBPP for cattle, 100, 000 doses of Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR) for sheep and goats and 1, 000 doses of anti-rabies vaccine for Dogs and Cats.

“These vaccines will be administered strategically throughout the year at the cost of N19 million,’’ he said.

He said that government would intensify efforts to providing adequate day-to-day veterinary care for individual herds of animals of all species in the state given the importance of the value chain from the sector.

“Aside the occupational derivatives of the livestock industry, the most visible value chain generated from these animals include meat valued at N5.5 billion in 2016 from the slaughter of 216, 000 cattle, 108, 000 sheep and 234, 000 goats.

The governor noted that other chain products such as milk, hides and skin needed to be properly utilised for increased income, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

He said that vaccinating animals against endemic diseases would safeguard the livelihood, occupation and culture of the people, especially the Fulani pastoralists.

Bello said that the exercise would also benefit other cattle owners, butchers and livestock traders among others in the state.

He said that with 23 grazing reserves in the state, two had already been gazetted, thereby minimising farmers’ herdsmen clashes.

He said that the state government was in support of Federal Government’s move to establish grazing reserves and cattle colonies across the country.

“We have already taken the bold initiative of addressing the issue in a pragmatic manner in the state by reviving the moribund and decaying 30, 000 hectares Bobi grazing reserve,’’ he said.

He said that the vaccination of animals and pets was free, and urged livestock and pets owners in the state to visit the nearest veterinary clinic.

Earlier, Alhaji Zakari Bala, the Commissioner for Livestock and Fishery, said that the 2019 annual animal vaccination targets 700, 000 cattle against the total of one million livestock in 2018.