Kano — The presence of live-bird markets across the country will ensure the security of birds against diseases, the coordinator of Live-birds Markets Development, Dr Gidado Mohammed has said.

Speaking yesterday in Kano during a workshop themed Biosecurity for Live Bird Markets in West Africa, the coordinator said the model live-bird markets were established in Kano, Kaduna and Lagos States in order to safeguard the birds from livestock diseases.

"The markets have three sections. There are selling section, receiving section and processing section. So this arrangement will enhance the security of birds, and enhance productivity," he said.

The coordinator also revealed that they have planned to establish eight live-bird markets in other states. "We have now established three markets in three states of Kano, Lagos and Lagos. Our next target is to establish the markets in five states," he said.

According to him, the poultry stakeholders would have 20 percent stake, while government would have 80 percent stake. "The reason why we made this arrangement is for them to have some sense of belonging so that the market will develop," he said.

He however disclosed that N63 million compensation was paid to 3037 farms and farmers who were affected by bird flu, while 1.26 million birds were depopulated in 97 local governments across the country.

Also speaking, the coordinator of Stop Avian Influenza (AI), Accra Regional Office, Ghana, Professor Timothy Obi expressed the need for the establishment of the live-bird markets in the West African region, saying the markets would ensure the security of birds.

He said Nigeria was chosen for the international workshop because of the country's commitment to the security of birds, saying such was the reason the model markets were established in the country.