Jonas Ezieke, Abuja
Members of the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Livestock Development have tasked the newly appointed Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Muktar, to leverage on his new ministry to address the perennial problem of farmers/herders crises in the country.
They made the call on Tuesday when the minister appeared before the joint committee to defend the ministry’s budget for 2025.
A member of the joint committee and former governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, said Nigerians are looking up to the ministry to develop the livestock sector in a way that would address crises between farmers and herders which had led to loss of lives and destruction of property.
Lalong said there was urgent need for the ministry to embark on intensive sensitisation and advocacy campaigns on the issues of ranching to change the wrong mindsets Nigerians, adding, there is a lot of misconceptions about ranching.
Senator Abdul Ningi, while speaking on the strategic importance of the ministry, urged the minister to harness the potential of the livestock sector for the development of the country.
Chairman of the joint committee, Senator Musa Mustapha in his remarks, said there was a need for the new ministry to focus on addressing issues of value chain development, infrastructure, climate change issues, women and youth empowerment.
On his part, the co-chair of the joint committee, Rep Wale Raji, emphasised the need for adequate funding for the ministry to enable it carry out its mandate in line with the aspiration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Agenda for the sector.
He also stressed the need for more advocacy and sensitisation to enable Nigerians understand that livestock development is beyond cattle rearing, saying, there are other aspects of livestock such as poultry, piggery, sheep and goats production, among others.
Earlier, the minister in his presentation informed the committee that the ministry budgeted N10 billion for capital expenditures and N1.8 billion for overheads.
He said the capital expenditures which are spread across the six geopolitical zones of the country, are aimed at providing critical infrastructures for the development of the sector.
On accommodation for the ministry, he said an accommodation has been identified and the President has directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to renovate and furnish it to enable the ministry move into it.