FG Set To Clampdown On Ilegal Smuggling Of Poultry Product

The federal government has said it would soon commence the onslaught on poultry product smugglers because of its negative effect on poultry industry and the hazard it poses to human health.

Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Heineken Lokpobiri, who stated this during his visit to Amo Farm Sieber Hatchery (AFSH), Awe, Oyo State, during the week, said government is also taking the war to sellers of smuggled poultry products, to reduce the menace to its barest minimum.

Amo group of companies has Amo Byng Nigeria Limited, Diversay Solutions Limited, Natnudo foods Limited and DSL farmers, as its subsidiaries.

Lokpobiri, who described the farm as the biggest indigenous poultry facilities, lauded the farm’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan for creating jobs for over 2,000 rural dwellers, noting that government has set up a committee, headed by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, to explore all possible avenues to tackle smuggling.

“It is either we kill smuggling or smuggling kills us. This administration, under President Muhammadu Buhari is ready to kill smuggling because of its negative effect on poultry industry. We are working very closely with your Group Managing Director and other stakeholders, to see how we can use multiple approaches to address this problem.

“FG is not only taking the war to smugglers alone, but also sellers of smuggled poultry products. In the next few weeks, we would be going to cold rooms to ask them how they got their stocks, “he said.

The Minister gave assurance that government would complement efforts of the farm in the area of motorable roads, provision of potable water for host community and other infrastructure, noting that he would ensure they are part of the 2018 budget.

In his address, the GMD, lamented the effect of the economic meltdown on the farm, saying it lost over two million Day-old-chicks due to low patronage. He added that increase in the price of maize with regards to stabilisation of prices, unavailability of grain all year round, are some of the serious challenges facing the industry.