Livestock sector can of generate N33tr for economy, says Minister 

From the Minister of Livestock Development, Mr Idi Mukhtar Maiha says the livestock sector is capable of boosting the economy to the tune of N33 trillion.

Speaking at an inaugural meeting with the Mr. Wale Raji led House of Representatives Committee on Livestock Development on Tuesday, he remarked that such inroad can only be achieved if the sector is unbundled and well harnessed effectively.

The Minister called on state Governments to create dedicated Ministries of Livestock for a more seamless relationship with the federal government.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Chairman of the Committee, Hon Wale Raji, said the transformation of the livestock sector of the country that holds a lot of opportunities for job creation and contributing to the economic growth and development of the country.

He said the Committee understood the urgency the sector needs and promised to partner with the Ministry to ensure speedy implementation of the sector.

He 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.