The Joint Committee on Livestock Development of the Senate and House of Representatives has rejected the proposed N11.8 billion budget for the takeoff of the newly established Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
Committee Chairman, Senator Musa Mustapha, noted that while lawmakers recognize the challenges of establishing a new ministry, the proposed budget requires adjustment.
The Federal Government allocated N10 billion for capital expenditure and N1.8 billion for overhead in the ministry’s 2025 budget. The ministry, which began operations three months ago, is still in its formative stages.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, who appeared before the joint committee, highlighted the ministry’s struggles.
“The takeoff process is ongoing with necessary structures being put together from formative departments of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. We are yet to have office accommodation,” he explained.
Wale Raji, Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, questioned the role of the Presidential Implementation Committee in the budget preparation.
“There will be a need for a special presentation or a supplementary budget that reflects the hope of Nigerians. The current budget is abysmally low to respond to the yearnings of the people,” Raji stated.
The Livestock Committee assured that it would re-examine the proposed budget to ensure it adequately addresses the challenges facing the ministry and aligns with public expectations.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
