By MUFTAU OGUNYEMI

The Federal Government says it has built 21 model veterinary hospitals across 21 states of the federation to enhance food security, improve animal health and boost livestock productivity.

Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, disclosed this on Friday while inaugurating one of the hospitals in Ondo Town, Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo state.

Maiha explained that the hospitals were to reposition Nigeria’s livestock sector as a major driver of national economic growth, food security, employment generation, and sustainable livelihood.

According to him, the hospitals are constructed and equipped through the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES).

“These hospitals are dear to President 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 mile.

“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, therefore, called on state governments to continue strengthening the self-veterinary workforce through the recruitment and deployment of additional veterinarians and veterinary professionals.

“Today we have one veterinary doctor for 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 Samuel Abubakar, National Project Coordinator (NPC) L–PRES, said the facilities were intended for expanded access to quality veterinary service and bring professional animal healthcare closer to livestock farmers in the country.

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.

Also, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, who commended the Federal Government, said the project was a testament to the collaboration between federal and state governments in transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector.

Aiyedatiwa, represented by Mr Leye Akinola, state Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, urged farmers, traders and stakeholders to take full advantage of the hospital and the modern livestock market inaugurated with it.

He explained 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.

Similarly, Oba Victor Kiladejo, Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, commended the Federal Government for establishing the hospital in the town.

He assured that all measures would be taken to ensure maintenance and the fulfilment of Federal Government aspirations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister also inaugurated various projects executed by L-PRES in the state, including the L-PRES Artificial Insemination Centre in Akure,

Other projects inaugurated are 50,000 litres capacity solar-powered borehole with water trough at Asejere Farm settlement in Ile -Oluji Local Government Area.

The Phase 1 and 2 of 50,000 litres capacity solar-powered borehole with water trough at Adofure Pig Cluster in Akure were also inaugurated. (NAN)