N’assembly panel faults FG over poor funding of livestock ministry two years after creation

The national assembly joint committee on livestock development has criticised the federal government’s commitment to the livestock sector, two years after the creation of the ministry livestock development.

Members of the committee expressed their dissatisfaction on Friday during the ministry’s budget defence session.

Speaking at the session, Idi Maiha, minister of livestock development, told the committee that 65 percent of animals consumed annually in Nigeria are imported, despite the country’s potential to become a major red meat exporter.

Maiha said out of the N70 billion approved as the take-off fund for the ministry in 2024, only N20 billion has so far been released.

He added that the N10 billion appropriated as the capital vote for the 2025 fiscal year has yet to be disbursed to the ministry.

Shehu Buba, co-chairman of the committee, said a mono-sector economy does not support sustainable growth, adding that the committee would push for adequate funding to drive economic diversification through livestock development.

Tahir Monguno, the senate whip, said the poor funding level runs contrary to the motive behind the establishment of the ministry.

“Establishment of the ministry of livestock development in 2024 was driven by the gospel of diversification of the nation’s economy,” he said.

“It is, therefore, to my surprise and disgust that we are paying lip service to the livestock sector now.

“We need to drum it into the ears of the executive that it is inherently contradictory to create the ministry and woefully fail to fund it.”

Abdul Ningi, the senator representing Bauchi central, alleged possible sabotage behind the ministry’s zero-capital release, noting that the development might not reflect the president’s intention.

“This is a ministry that must be supported and well-funded by the federal government. I am suspecting sabotage on the zero-capital allocation because Mr President meant well for the livestock development,” Ningi said.

“The leadership of this committee should, as a matter of urgent national importance, write to or meet with Mr President for urgent intervention.”