Nigeria’s Federal Government on Wednesday justified the establishment of a new Ministry of Livestock Development attributing it to the need to enhance protein production, increase employment opportunities and government revenue.
This, it stated, formed part of the reasons that informed President Tinubu’s decision to establish the new ministry on Tuesday.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, clarified that the proposed ministry would focus on livestock development, allowing the Ministry of Agriculture to concentrate on other areas.
Fagbemi spoke while briefing newsmen at the State House, Abuja, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, explaining that the primary focus is what Nigerians and the government stand to gain in terms of revenue and other positive additions.
He said: “President formally informed Council that a ministry known as Ministry of Livestock Development is being established and this is because he believes that the Ministry of Agriculture should be broken into two, one concentrating on livestock development because of what we stand to achieve in terms of protein, in terms of employment, in terms earnings for the government and how this one will rub off on the lives of an ordinary Nigerian citizen”.
While acknowledging that creating a new ministry may seem counterintuitive to the government’s goal of reducing governance costs, the Attorney General of the Federation emphasized that the benefits of this decision would outweigh the costs.
According to him, the new ministry would facilitate large-scale livestock production, generating revenue and employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Fagbemi highlighted the importance of improving protein intake, a key aspect of the government’s policy on livestock development.
His words: “So in respect of the Ministry of Livestock Development, in relation to the government policy of reducing governance, to every general rule, there must be an exception, what will dictate the decision of government, what is guiding the addition of government or action or reaction of government is the overall interest of Nigerian citizen.
“So in respect of this livestock, the President has taken very serious look at the contribution of agriculture. Agriculture, now divided into two, haven announced that there is going to be another ministry, it goes without saying that those implications will also go with it.
“I agree that that may cost money, but it will be done in a way that the benefits will by far outweigh the losses or the concern that you may express.
“I have talked about this livestock and I said one, apart from improving the protein intake of our people, it also provides money for government because it’s going to be on large scale that will ensure money or revenue for government, and there is also going to be increased employment opportunities for people. So these are some of the areas that I think I should clear”.
Deji Elumoye
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