Lagos Poultry Farmers Want Compensation for 2021 Bird Flu Losses

Sunday Okobi

Not less than 700 poultry farmers in Aiyedoto Poultry Farm Estate in Lagos State at the weekend called on President Bola Tinubu-led administration to urgently intervene in the plight of farmers affected by the 2021 Avain influenza (bird flu).

Speaking while receiving over 3,000 lay birds donated by the Lagos State Government, the President of the farmers’ group, Mr. Saliu Rasheed, said some of their members have died while awaiting intervention from the government.

He added that the compensation, if provided by the federal government to the affected farmers, would strengthen the industry and guarantee employment opportunities for the population.

Rasheed called on the Federal Ministry of Finance and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to hasten up the compensation process, just as he appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to make more funds available to help grow the industry, and in turn, contribute to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country.

Rasheed, however, appreciated the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the former state Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, for their support through the donation of over 3,000 lay birds.

 According to him, “This will go a long way in ensuring the beneficiaries return to business in earnest, as well as support the growth of their business.”

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Sussanah Okafor, told journalists that during the bird flu, a lot of farmers lost all their birds, and some of the affected farmers died while awaiting compensation from the government.

  She added: “Some have locked up their farms, which has continuously contributed to the high rate of unemployment in the country. We are appealing to the federal government to hasten up the payment of compensation as the farmers are finding it extremely difficult to cope with the situation.”