By Fatima Muraina

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The Poultry Association of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to save it from total collapse which may have adverse effect on the economy and the people at large.

The National Vice Chairman Southwest, Nigeria, Mr Gideon Oluleye stated this in an interview with The Hope in Akure , Ondo state.

Oluleye said the sector has faced serious challenges for the past two years since the inception of COVID-19  when they were burying their eggs, the EndSARS saga, redesigning of the naira and above all, the subsidy removal which he said has broken the camel’s back.

“We are calling on the government to make maize available to help the feed millers and the toll millers in milling to feed the birds and keep the sector afloat”

He said government should release maize from the strategic grain reserve if any and grant a short importation window to bring in maize and soya beans to further keep the sector afloat.

According to him, maize farmers have not been able to address shortage of the grain due to insurgence in the country, pointing at banditry, Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen among a host of others preventing maize farmers to produce the required quantity.

He said government policy affects the industry much because the time frame of such policies where not put into consideration.

According to Oluleye, the situation should be taken as a matter of urgency as he noted that over 15 million people could be thrown into the unemployment sector which poultry has been rendering assistance to.

“Poultry is a sector generating 6 percent of the GDP for the country and it employs 26 million people who may lose their jobs if nothing is done immediately to save the industry from total collapse.