Maiha: State Ministries of Livestock Will Boost Policy, Programmes Coordination, Others

•FG seeks to standardise domestic production to access global markets

James Emejo in Abuja 

The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, yesterday hailed the creation of the Ministries of Livestock Development at the subnational level.

He said the initiative will facilitate policy and programmes coordination, and accelerate the overall development of the sector.

The minister also hinted at the federal government’s resolve to standardise domestic production of livestock and related products to ease access to the global markets.

Speaking at the 2024 Continuing Education Programme for Veterinary Professionals, with theme, “Veternarians as Policy Advocates; Giving Voice to Animal Health”, the minister pointed out that the action was a clear demonstration of support for the presidential initiative in the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development. 

He said in the last two weeks, Borno and Yobe have added to the list of states that have created new ministries of livestock, describing the development as encouraging. 

Maiha however, appealed to states that are yet to follow suit to do so as a matter of urgency.

The minister also expressed confidence that the first National Council on Livestock Development will have representations from all state ministries of livestock development. 

He noted that issues of livestock migration, animal health, food and water, as well as breed improvement would be tackled with speed. 

In a statement issued by the ministry’s Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Ben Bem Goong, Maiha said,” We need to overhaul the necessary regulations for milk collection mechanisms, take inventory of the value chain establishments, livestock census and ensure strict enforcement of regulations as well as conduct nationwide vaccination of animals.”

The Federal Ministry for Livestock Development was created to boost the Nigerian economy and reduce insecurity, and is described as one of the best policy decisions  taken by President Bola Tinubu to reposition the economy.