Members of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Livestock Development have rejected the proposed N11.8 billion budget allocation for the newly established Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
The Federal Government had earmarked N10 billion for capital expenditure and N1.8 billion for overhead in the ministry’s 2025 budget.
This was what was presented for consideration before the National Assembly.
During the budget defence session, the Minister, Idi Maiha, along with senior officials and agency heads presented the ministry’s financial needs to the joint committee.
Maiha explained that the ministry, which was carved out of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, began operations three months ago, but faces significant challenges, including a lack of office accommodations, facilities, and essential operational equipment.
He noted that the ministry is being temporarily housed by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, with ongoing discussions to secure a permanent office space from the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
He assured that the allocated funds would serve as a foundational roadmap for the ministry’s establishment.
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He highlighted the ministry’s core mandate to address climate change impacts, create economic opportunities in the livestock sector, and engage youth and women in sustainable activities.
Maiha further stated that capital projects would be distributed across geopolitical zones based on specific needs, aiming to attract both local and foreign investments as the ministry plans to launch a comprehensive sensitisation campaign through national and local media to raise awareness about its objectives and initiatives.
However, the members of the committee raised concern about the budget of the ministry for 2025, urging the Minister to present a supplementary budget that reflects the ministry’s financial requirements more accurately.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, Wale Raji, specifically raised questions on the level of support from the Presidential Implementation Committee for the ministry’s establishment, calling for a more robust budget to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
Raji’s counterpart in the Senate, Senator Musa Mustapha, also gave assurance to the ministry of the committee’s support in helping it achieve its mandate.
“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 said.
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