Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has flagged-off the 2023 aerial operation for the control of migratory pests across the frontline Local Government Areas of the state.

The ceremony, which took place on Saturday at Birnin Kebbi International Airport, was meant to ensure food security in the state.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala Tafida, said he was determined to fight any menace that would truncate the successes being recorded in agricultural sector in the state.

He said: “The pests, especially Quelea birds remained a serious threat to the production of cereal crops.

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“The control measure is also necessary in order to ensure undisrupted agricultural activities in this year’s farming season.

“It is a great pleasure to mark the commencement of the 2023 wet season control of migratory pests in the state.”

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Joel Aiki, described the intervention as “timely”, saying that farmers had just harvested their dry season rice and millets.

“As the wet season is maturing, farmers are busy in their farms to ensure bumper wet season harvest, however, Quelea birds have started attacking us,” he said.

In a statement made available to The Star by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, the Perm Sec noted that the state stood as a corridor through which the pests gain entrance into Nigeria from Benin and Niger Republics.

“Some are existing in the state, and hence they have commenced their bad activities. This is very bad for food production and food security in the state,” he assured.

Speaking on behalf of Yombe Nigeria Limited and Aixel Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Samaila Yombe-Dabai, a former Deputy Governor of the state, explained that the state aerial spray would be conducted in Argungu, Bagudo and Kalgo Local Government Areas of the state.

He called on the State Government to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the company to position itself for prompt response of any unexpected pests attack.

He commended the state government for trusting the company, while assuring that the operation would be done perfectly according to specifications and expectations.

The Star