… We have lost thousands of birds – poultry farmers
The Nigerian Union of Journalists, Warri Correspondents’ Chapel has sympathised with poultry farmers in Delta as they continue to count their loses following the resurgence of the Avian Influeza virus also known as Bird flu.
The NUJ stated this in a communique issued at the end of the chapel’s congress held on Tuesday August 31 at its secretariat in Warri.
In the communique signed by Comrade Okies Veeky and Dele Fasan, Chairman and Secretary respectively, the union particularly sympathised with poultry farmers in the state especially that of Lawal Iyanda Farms, Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government, who lost over 70,000 birds, and that of Oghenejename Farms in Ekrerhavwe in Agbarho in Ughelli North LGA and others affected in state.
The NUJ also sympathised with poultry managers and workers who have been devastated by the resurgence of the Avian Influeza virus, stressing that the virus has dealt a devastating blow to poultry farmers in the state.
“The Union expresess fear that this epidemic may lead to food crisis and worsened food shortages across the state and by extension increase in food prices in the country.
“The Union therefore called on the Delta State government led by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to come to the rescue of the affected poultry farmers.
“The Union also called on well meaning Nigerians, corporate organizations to help ameliorate the suffering of the poultry farmers,” the communique reads.
Meanwhile, Poultry Farmers in Delta said they have lost thousands of birds to the Avian Influeza virus since its outbreak in the state.
The Poultry Farmers led by Alfred Mrakpor, Chairman, Delta State Chapter of Poultry Association of Nigeria, made this known in Warri during the Avian Influeza Awareness Creation and Enlightenment Forum with Stakeholders held at the Warri South Council Area.
Mrakpor explained that the resurgence of the Avian Influeza virus has dealt a devastating blow to poultry farmers in Delta central senatorial district of the state.
Chief Mrakpor revealed that over 571,000 birds have died in his farm alone added to the losses recorded by other Poultry Farmers.
He lamented that up till date the Delta State Government have not done anything to support the plight of the Poultry Farmers.
He revealed that several Farmers have died as a result of the shocking news
Different keynote speakers including Dr Chukwudi Ekwukoma, Dr Pius Mosimabale and Dr Hyacinth Uguru lectured the farmers on ways to prevent further deaths of their birds.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr Michael Tidi, Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, pledged to partner with poultry farmers in the council with a view to see how they can halt the death toll.
The event featured presentations of vankakill solution to the farmers to be used to Clean up their farms to halt the death toll.
