As part of its enlightenment programme, the State Public Enlightenment Committee (SPEC) on Avian Influenza has embarked a surveillance visit to some poultry farms in in Uyo and Abak Local Government Areas.

The visit which enabled the SPEC members to interact with the farmers on right health practices and precautionary measures to adopt to prevent Avian Influenza took the team to Eeezi farms in Uyo and Jenny - Doug farms at Manta 1, Abak L.G.A.

During the interactive session, the Avian Influenza Communication Desk Officer, Mrs. Blessing Ufot Urua who represented the SPEC Chairmen and Director of Information, Mr. Victor Ekpo, intimated farmers on the existence of Bird Flu in the country and the signs to watch out for in the birds. She however assured them that the disease has not entered Akwa Ibom State and stressed the need to be precautious.

The Animal Health Desk Officer In the State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Emmanuel Iton who was in the entourage further explained the signs to the farmers and encouraged them to report any suspected case to the desk office for intervention.

In response, the farmers claimed knowledge of the disease through various radio programmes of the Committee on AKBC and thanked God that Akwa Ibom State has not experienced an outbreak of Bird Flu.

They also presented common challenges in the area of insufficient chicken feeds due to non-functioning of Akwa Feeds in Uyo; lack of a functional hatchery within the state and insufficient capital to put up more structures to meet. up with demands of poultry products.

Highlight of the visit was the presentation of stickers and posters meant to reinforce information on Bird Flu to farmers so they could use same to further enlighten fellow farmers, customers and people in their neighbourhood.

The farmers thanked the Committee and affirmed that the IEC materials will further aid them put in place bio-Security measures in their farms.

The four-year old Eeezi farms at Uyo, owned by Mr. Edem E. Esara has a poultry section of about 4,700 birds in different breeds of Layers, broilers and brooders with snailery and rabbitery as subsidiaries. The poultry has a capacity production of about 30 - 33 crates of eggs per day besides supply of chicken for the teaming population.

The Poultry farm visited at Abak - Jenny-Doug farms at Manta 1 Village, is a seven-month old farm with poultry section which has about 3,500 birds. The farm owned by Mrs. Ini-Obong Okpongette also has a goatery, piggery, fishery and snailery, as subsidiaries.

Members of SPEC present at the surveillance visit to the farms included: Dr. Emmanuel Iton - Desk Officer, Ministry of Agriculture; Mr. Bassey A. Udoema representing Deputy Governor's Office; Mr. Uwem Ita representing NTA Channel 12 Uyo; Mrs. Idara E. Ekpah representing Ministry of Education; Mrs. Margaret Eshiet representing AKBC Miss Helen Udofa representing Akwa Ibom Newspaper Corporation; Mr. Matthew Umeh representing FRCN and Mr. Effiong Esin representing Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.