NAN-H-95
Surveillance
By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin, March 2, 2017 (NAN) The Kwara State Government on Thursday pledged to provide adequate surveillance at the International Cattle Market in Ilesha- Baruba in Baruten Local Government Area.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that that the town is also a border community between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Bamidele Adegoke, said this in an interview with newsmen in Ilorin.
Adegoke added that the measure was to ensure immediate response to any outbreak of animal disease in the state.
“Government is conscious of the standard and economic benefits of the livestock market and it has deemed it necessary to closely monitor business activities in that axis.
“Government will respond to health needs of the cattle, as a way of taking precaution against the spread of cattle-borne infections.
“When Anthrax, Pasteurellosis and Avian Influenza diseases wreaked havoc in the neighbouring Republic of Benin, the state government took some proactive steps to prevent its spread into the state,’’ he said.
Adegoke said that the ministry was always ready to give animals the care they deserved to make them safe for human consumption.
He assured the public that the state government would see to the infrastructural needs of the market and continues to place high premium on the living standards of the citizens.
“This will be realised through the state government’s formulation and implementation of appropriate healthcare policies,’’ he said. (NAN)
AUO/OIF/PAD
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(Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo, Peter Dada)