By Ayomide Otitoju
The National Assembly Joint Committee on Livestock Development has raised concerns over the proposed ₦11.8 billion budget for the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, describing it as insufficient for the ministry’s effective operations.
The Federal Government allocated ₦10 billion for capital expenditure and ₦1.8 billion for overheads in the ministry’s 2025 budget, but lawmakers believe the funds fall short of what is needed to establish the newly created ministry.
Challenges Facing the Ministry
At a budget defense session on Tuesday, Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, outlined the financial and operational challenges facing the ministry, which was carved out of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security just three months ago.
According to Maiha, the ministry currently lacks office accommodations, facilities, and essential equipment. It is temporarily housed by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, with ongoing negotiations for permanent office space with the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
Despite these constraints, Maiha expressed optimism that the allocated budget would serve as a stepping stone for the ministry’s establishment.
Mandate and Vision
Maiha emphasized the ministry’s core mandate to mitigate climate change impacts, create economic opportunities in the livestock sector, and engage youth and women in sustainable practices.
He also revealed plans to distribute capital projects across geopolitical zones based on specific needs, with the goal of attracting local and international investments. Additionally, the ministry intends to launch a nationwide sensitization campaign to raise awareness about its objectives and initiatives.
Lawmakers Push for Supplementary Budget
The joint committee urged the ministry to present a supplementary budget that accurately reflects its financial needs.
Wale Raji, Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, questioned the level of support provided by the Presidential Implementation Committee for the ministry’s establishment and called for a more robust budget to meet public expectations.
Senate Committee Chairman Musa Mustapha assured the ministry of the committee’s support but stressed the need for greater urgency in addressing the outlined challenges.
“This meeting is a foundational step, but the ministry must accelerate its efforts and provide progress reports on the challenges outlined for us to offer necessary interventions,” Mustapha stated.
Way Forward
As the ministry works to overcome its teething challenges, the lawmakers reiterated their commitment to ensuring adequate funding to enable the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to fulfill its mandate effectively.
The proposed supplementary budget is expected to provide a clearer picture of the ministry’s financial requirements and pave the way for a stronger start to its operations.
