By Gloria Ikibah
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has said that Nigeria’s livestock sector can generate about N33 trillion as revenue, if propoerly unbundled and harnessed.
The Ministry disclosed this during an inaugural meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Livestock Development on Tuesday, in Abuja.
According to him, once full activities commence, the sector has the potential to attract a lot of capital into the country, adding that Nigerian businessmen have already indicated interest to go into ranching and dairy farming.
Maiha therefore who said that state governments have a critical role to play, urged them to create dedicated Ministries of Livestock for a more seamless relationship with the federal government.
He said: “At the moment we are taking stock of those state governments that have external ministry of livestock and fisheries. For state governments that have not created they should give it effect and have a standing Ministry for Livestock so there would be a seamless relationship between the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the State Ministries of Livestock as the case may be.
“This sector sector is worth about 33 trillion naira once unbundled. Once unbundled we have a huge opportunity to attract capital into the country as well as have a lot of ranchers. At the moment we have a lot of requests from Nigerian businessmen who want to go into ranching and dairy activities.
“So it is a question of settling down and unbundling this Ministry, giving it to into the formal sector so that it can be derisked and people will know that beyond what everybody has been saying before the creation of this Ministry, today there is a strong political support from the office of the President and then this Committee.”
Naijablitznews.com recalled that upon assumption of office, the Minister pledged to reform Nigeria’s livestock industry to enhance food security, create a safe environment for all stakeholders, and attract foreign investment.
He disclosed a vision for the newly established ministry to include comprehensive reforms aimed at “unbundling” the sector, strengthening infrastructure, and meeting Nigeria’s growing demand for animal protein.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Wale Raji, said the transformation of the livestock sector of the country has lots of opportunities for job creation, economic growth and national development.
The Chairman who acknowledged the urgency needed in the sector, vows to partner with the Ministry to ensure speedy implementation of the sector, and expressed confidence in the capacity of the Minister to deliver on his mandate.
“The only regret is that the creation of the ministry is coming this late. But our consolation is that it is better late than never. And with your wealth of experience as a technocrat and also a practicing farmer, we have no doubt that we have a round peg in round hole. The whole essence would be towards the development and progress of the country,” he said
He however warned that the Committee will not compromise on its oversight function.