The Federal Government has completed and handed over 21 Model Veterinary hospitals nationwide as part of efforts to improve livestock healthcare delivery and boost production.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, made the disclosure on Friday while commissioning one of the facilities in Ondo Town, Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The Model Veterinary Hospital Ondo was constructed and equipped by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), a World Bank-assisted programme, for public use.
Maiha explained that the hospitals were aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s livestock sector as a major driver of national economic growth, food security, employment generation and sustainable livelihood.
“These hospitals are dear to President Bola Tinubu, with plans to extend similar interventions to the remaining 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Very soon, every local government will have one fully functional veterinary clinic.
“Mr President’s directive is that veterinary services should be running after the farmers, stay ahead of the farmer’s needs, and not the other way round. We are conscious of this, and we are bringing these facilities to the last miles.
“Our vision is to ensure that veterinary services are not confined to government facilities, but are accessible to farmers wherever production and commercial activities take place,” Maiha said.
The minister urged various state governments to continue strengthening the self-veterinary workforce through recruitment and deployment of additional veterinarians and veterinary professionals.
“Today we have one veterinary doctor to 10,000 animals, that is not acceptable. We must reduce the number.
“We want good meat; we want healthy meat. We also want to access the international red meat market. We must reduce our disease burden and control all zoonotic diseases,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Sanusi Abubakar, National Project Coordinator (NPC) L-PRES, said the facilities would ensure expanded access to quality veterinary service and bring professional animal healthcare closer to livestock farmers.
Abubakar also said the project was coordinated by the national and state project coordination office to enhance livestock production, healthcare and marketing.
“The modern livestock market is a strategic investment in the value chain and the facilities will create economic opportunities for farmers, transporters, and processors,” he said.
Speaking, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State commended the Federal Government for facility, describing it as a testament to the collaboration between federal and state governments in transforming the livestock sector.
Aiyedatiwa, represented by Mr Leye Akinola, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, urged farmers, traders and other stakeholders to take full advantage of the hospital and the modern livestock market inaugurated with it.
He noted that the establishment would increase commercial activities, improve access to markets, enhance opportunity for livestock farmers and ensure greater economic benefit for the host community and the state at large.
In his remarks, Oba Victor Kiladejo, the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, applauded the Federal Government for establishing the hospital in the town.
Oba Kiladejo assured that measures would be taken to ensure its maintenance and the fulfilment of Federal Government aspirations.
The minister also commissioned various projects executed by L-PRES in the state, including the L-PRES Artificial Insemination Centre in Akure,
Other projects commissioned are 50,000 litres capacity solar-powered borehole with water trough at Asejere Farm Settlement in Ile-Oluji, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of the state.
The Phase 1 and 2 of 50,000 litres capacity solar-powered borehole with water trough at Adofure Pig Cluster in Akure were also commissioned.
About the Author
