By Adelola Amihere
The Poultry Association of Nigeria, PAN has appealed to the federal government to lift all restrictions on interstate movement of vehicles carrying poultry products
by the various states including the FCT.
This is just as it also appealed for the non restriction of movement of farm workers and personnel with a valid means of identification to be allowed to gp to their wprk place.
In a statement signed by the Director General, Onallo Akpa on behalf of its over five million members noted that despite the saddening outbreak of the Corona virus pandemic, the poultry industry in Nigeria which is worth over N10 trillion plays a critical role in the food security of the nation.
According to him, all hands must be on deck to ensuring that there are no deliberate or omissional collateral damages to the achievements recorded for the poultry industry in the last twenty (20) years.
He therefore prayed that, ” There should removal of all restrictions on interstate movement of vehicles by the various states Government for the transportation of all essential items for the production of poultry: Maize, soyabean, poultry products, wheat offals and poultry feeds of all types.
“Also very essential are Day old chicks (Docs), Eggs, frozen chicken, drugs and all other essential food that are either meant for poultry or the livestock value chain entirely. This was reinforced in Mr. President’s address to the nation.
“The situation of the markets for poultry products are not stable at the moment despite the facts that Eggs and poultry meat are needed daily by all Nigerians. A lot of table eggs produced are not being sold because of the absence of economic and social activities and the closure of schools.”
Akpa furher prayed that government should buy up Eggs from poultry farmers for distribution to the vulnerable population of old people and the sick that might likely come down with the Covid-19.
“We advice that the necessary Ministries and organs of Government should be mandated to work with the Association at all levels to make the above possible,”he added.
While appreciating the efforts of the Federal, States and Local Government authorities on how they have handled the Covid-19 issues so far., the PAN DG also called for the launch of a massive media campaign to be coordinated by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to highlight the relevance of food and the right to food by all Nigerians.
