The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has revealed intentions by the Secretariat to strengthen its disease surveillance, detection, reporting, and control system as part of measures to reduce the emergence and spread of animal diseases in the nation’s capital.
Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim, the mandate secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, made the comment during a working visit to the FCT Veterinary Clinic in Nyanya.
He was pleased with the status of the Clinic’s facilities, particularly the diagnostic laboratory, which was dedicated in 2021 by the Honourable Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu.
Abubakar in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Deputy Director, Information, ARDS , Zakari Aliyu commended the Veterinary officials for efficiently managing the facilities at the laboratory which he noted was fully equipped to meet the needs of animal owners and livestock farmers in the FCT.
He, however , stressed the need for animal owners and livestock farmers in the FCT to desist from patronizing quack clinics. In his words, “As you can see, the facilities here are state of the Art and comparable to the best anywhere in the world. I therefore would like to call on residents to patronize the clinics in order to access quality animal Healthcare”
Speaking on the issue of disease prevention and control, the Secretary disclosed that the Secretariat has through the Department of Veterinary Services strengthened its surveillance system to enhance its capacity to detect and combat the outbreak and spread of animal diseases. “We intend to build the capacities of our Veterinary Health officials and Doctors to expose them to the modern trends in disease surveillance and reporting” Abubakar said.
The Visit also took the Secretary to the FCT Fish market at Kado where he directed the Department of Fisheries to ensure that the issues that have prevented the full utilization of the Laboratory be addressed to enable it carry out its responsibilities of conducting daily laboratory tests to ensure the safety of fish sold to the public.
