FG Owes Poultry Farmers ₦498.7m as Compensation for Losses — Official

The Federal Government is yet to pay compensation amounting to ₦498.7 million to 307 verified poultry farmers who suffered losses from avian influenza outbreaks between 2021 and 2023, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Chinyere Akujobi, has disclosed.

Dr Akujobi, represented by the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Adeniyi Adedoyin, made the revelation on Thursday during a public hearing on six livestock-related bills held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The bills under consideration seek to establish new livestock colleges and research institutes across the country to boost animal production, scientific innovation, and manpower development.

According to Adedoyin, “The Federal Government owes ₦498.7 million in unpaid compensation to 307 verified poultry farmers affected by avian influenza between 2021 and 2023.

“A total of ₦3.16 billion had earlier been paid to 1,055 farmers affected by previous outbreaks, but this latest batch remains unpaid due to funding shortfalls.”

He added that a recent outbreak in Wukari, Taraba State, led to the culling of 2,050 birds, with compensation yet to be disbursed.

Providing further details, Adedoyin said compensation payments have been ongoing since 2006, with ₦630.9 million, ₦674.2 million, ₦1.81 billion, and ₦47 million disbursed in different phases up to 2019.

However, he blamed current delays on inadequate budgetary provisions and the absence of an Animal Diseases Contingency or Emergency Fund.

“Since 2021, there has been no dedicated emergency fund for animal disease response, and most affected farmers lack insurance coverage as required by law,” he explained.

Adedoyin also recalled that the Federal Executive Council, in 2022, approved a revised compensation formula, under which the Federal Government shoulders 50 per cent of the cost, states contribute 25 per cent, and farmers cover the remaining 25 per cent.

He added that only smallholder farmers with flocks not exceeding 3,000 birds qualify under this arrangement, as larger commercial farms are expected to maintain insurance coverage.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has expressed its determination to reform the livestock sector and investigate the prolonged delay in compensating poultry farmers affected by bird flu outbreaks across the country.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, Hon. Wale Raji, said the intervention aligns with the National Livestock Transformation Plan and forms part of the legislature’s broader effort to strengthen veterinary services, promote animal husbandry, and enhance agricultural productivity.

“This hearing provides an opportunity for stakeholders to make valuable inputs that will support livestock growth, improve productivity, and generate employment,” Raji stated.

“We are also looking into the reasons behind the non-payment of compensation to affected farmers to ensure transparency and justice.”

He assured that the committee would work diligently to ensure that recommendations from the hearing are implemented to advance livestock education, research, and policy execution.

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One of the bills under consideration, sponsored by Bello Ka’oje, seeks to establish the Federal College of Animal Husbandry, envisioned as a specialised institution for training, research, and innovation in animal production.

According to Ka’oje, the proposed college would promote excellence in breeding, animal care, and livestock management, thereby improving productivity, creating jobs, and strengthening national food security.

He urged his colleagues and industry stakeholders to support the bill, emphasising that livestock development remains key to Nigeria’s economic diversification and rural development goals.