The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for urgent support regarding the Ministry of Livestock Development.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, the national president of the association, Khalil Mohd Bello, disclosed that it is seriously concerning that nearly eight months after the ministry was established, the renovation of the permanent office allocated to it for its operations has yet to be started.
He said this delay has impeded the implementation of essential policies and programmes to promote the livestock sector and its value chains across Nigeria.
He said, “When the ministry was established on July 9, 2024, Nigeria’s pastoralists viewed it as a long-awaited answer to our prayers and a significant step towards addressing over 50 years of neglect in the livestock sector.”
However, the ministry’s lack of progress since then has been disheartening, preventing it from fulfilling its critical role in ensuring food security and contributing to the national economy.
He said despite the critical nature of its mission, the allocated office space/building remains un-renovated, and a timeline for starting the renovation or completion has not been provided.
Bello added, “This situation severely hampers the ability of the honourable minister, permanent secretary, directors and staff to coordinate effectively and execute their responsibilities.”
Moreover, the financial resources allocated to the ministry for the 2025 fiscal year are insufficient to achieve its objectives.
“We implore the president to invest significantly in the livestock sector to enable the ministry to actively engage in ensuring food security, enhancing the nation’s GDP, and reducing heavy reliance on imported milk and food products,” said Khalil.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritise the renovation and operation of the ministry’s office so that the minister and staff can effectively promote and develop the livestock sector.
