The Federal Government has commissioned Nigeria's inaugural Border Animal Holding and Quarantine Facility at Nfum, Ajaso Clan, Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State, a landmark achievement in the implementation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development's transformation agenda. The state-of-the-art facility, constructed under the World Bank-assisted Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, is designed to strengthen Nigeria's animal health system, improve livestock traceability, enhance border disease surveillance, and facilitate safe cross-border livestock trade. Performing the commissioning, the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the project as a significant step towards implementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda for the livestock sector. According to the Minister, the facility represents far more than physical infrastructure, it demonstrates the Federal Government's commitment to transforming Nigeria's livestock industry into a modern, resilient, productive, and globally competitive sector. He explained that the strategic border facility would ensure that livestock entering Nigeria are properly received, quarantined, inspected, documented, and certified healthy before being released into the country. This, he noted, would reduce the risk of transboundary animal diseases that threaten livestock production, food security, public health, and the national economy. Dr. Maiha disclosed that the Nfum facility is the first of 12 international border animal holding and quarantine centres to be established across Nigeria's major livestock entry corridors. Similar facilities are planned for Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Sokoto, Niger, and Kebbi States. He said the centres would strengthen Nigeria's animal traceability system by generating critical data for disease surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, and rapid response to disease outbreaks, while positioning Nigerian livestock and livestock products for regional and international markets. Earlier, the National Coordinator of the L-PRES Project, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, said the commissioning marked another important milestone in the implementation of the World Bank-supported project under the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development. He explained that the facility was conceived under the project's Innovation and Institutional Systems Strengthening component to support the statutory mandate of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) in preventing the entry of diseased animals into Nigeria. According to him, beyond quarantine functions, the facility will improve disease surveillance, strengthen livestock traceability, support pastoral advisory services through geospatial technology, and promote peaceful coexistence between livestock keepers and farming communities through awareness and education. He noted that the facility is equipped with modern infrastructure, including a large animal holding pen, solar-powered water supply, spray race, cattle dip, cattle crush, office accommodation, and training facilities designed to improve operational efficiency and animal welfare. Dr. Abubakar expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development for his visionary leadership and acknowledged the continued support of the World Bank, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, the Cross River State Government, contractors, consultants, development partners, and the host community for making the project a reality. Representing Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, commended the Federal Government for locating the landmark project in Cross River State. He described the facility as a strategic national investment that would enhance economic development, strengthen border security, and improve livestock production in the state and the country at large. Prof. Owan-Enoh assured the Federal Government that the Cross River State Government would continue to partner with the Ministry of Livestock Development to protect the investment and attract additional livestock development initiatives to the state. Representing the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Dr. Vincent Isegbe, the Assistant Comptroller-General, Dr. Tekla Ekechukwu, described the facility as a major boost to Nigeria's border biosecurity and animal health system. He appealed for additional government support to provide perimeter fencing, reliable electricity, operational equipment, veterinary chemicals, and other essential facilities required to maximise the centre's effectiveness. Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the President of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Dr. Moses Arokoyo, represented by the Director of Veterinary Services, Cross River State Ministry of Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries Development, Dr. Jude Undiandeye, identified transboundary animal diseases as one of the most persistent threats confronting Nigeria's livestock industry, particularly in border communities. He stated that combating transboundary animal diseases remains a major priority of the association and assured the Honourable Minister of the continuous support of veterinary professionals in safeguarding Nigeria's livestock resources. Dr. Undiandeye said the association would continue to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to ensure that animals entering or leaving Cross River State are properly inspected and certified disease-free, thereby promoting safe livestock movement and enhancing regional and international trade. He further disclosed that the association would work closely with the Cross River State Government to strengthen veterinary manpower at the newly commissioned facility by supporting the deployment of additional veterinary personnel to complement officers of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service in delivering effective disease surveillance, quarantine services, and biosecurity operations. The Executive Chairman of Etung Local Government Area thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the project and pledged the full support of the council towards protecting the facility. He appealed for perimeter fencing, improved electricity supply, telecommunications infrastructure, and employment opportunities for qualified sons and daughters of Etung to promote community ownership of the project. Also speaking, the Paramount Ruler of Etung, His Royal Majesty Ambassador Anthony Ntui Etta II, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for citing the project in the community. He disclosed that the community willingly released three hectares of land for the project and assured the Minister that additional land would be made available if required for future expansion. The monarch, however, appealed to the Federal Government to consider employing qualified youths from the host community while also addressing outstanding community concerns relating to previous federal projects. The commissioning ceremony attracted top government officials, representatives of the World Bank, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, security agencies, veterinary professionals, traditional rulers, livestock stakeholders, development partners, and members of the host community. The Border Animal Holding and Quarantine Facility is expected to significantly strengthen Nigeria's biosecurity architecture by preventing the spread of transboundary animal diseases, improving livestock traceability, facilitating safe regional livestock trade, and contributing to the sustainable growth of the nation's livestock sector.
By Arit Ubi
