The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has flagged off tsetse fly surveillance in Akwa Ibom to combat the infestation and control the vector.

FMLD’s state coordinator, Ikankeabasi Ukpong, stated this when she hosted the vector surveillance team in Uyo on Monday. She said they would conduct community sensitisation and raise awareness in some markets to combat the hazardous effects of tsetse fly infestation in the state’s livestock industry.

Ms Ukpong said that about 12 species of tsetse fly had been identified in Nigeria. She said that of the identified groups of tsetse flies, the Glossina palpalis had been endemic in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

Ms Ukpong said that since the state lies within the humid tropical zone, the palpalis group usually thrived around the numerous rivers.

“In this survey, we will intensify efforts to cover riverine areas like Itu, Mbo, and Oron Local Government Areas. We will also work on the cattle domain in Itam. With God on our side, we will have successful surveillance to curb tsetse fly infestation in Akwa Ibom,” she said.

Teddy Essien, state director of veterinary services at the Ministry of Agriculture, expressed the state government’s appreciation to the federal government for prioritising the area.

Mr Essien said that the state government had been collaborating with the federal government  in key areas of agricultural programmes. He assured that the team would be taken around the key areas to actualise its advocacy against the spread of the zoonotic disease.

“There is no doubt that this vision will further benefit the people of Akwa Ibom and have an impact on the state’s economy.

“Please, we also require feedback. Let us know what happened in the field, the location you went to and so on,” Mr Essien said.

(NAN)