The Nigeria Professionals in Diaspora (NPID) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider his proposal to establish a new Ministry of Livestock Development, citing concerns over resource wastage and advocating for the optimization of current structures within the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NPID President Dr. Johnson David acknowledged President Tinubu’s achievements and his administration’s anti-corruption efforts. However, David expressed reservations about adding a new Ministry, arguing that it would unnecessarily increase government expenditure and bureaucracy.
“We believe that the existing structures within the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security can be strengthened and streamlined to effectively meet the needs of the livestock industry,” David remarked.
Senior NPID member Mr. Ikechukwu Obinna echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the funds earmarked for a standalone Ministry of Livestock could instead be redirected to improve the efficiency of current agricultural frameworks.
He said, “Our analysis suggests that the resources required to establish and maintain a stand alone Ministry of Livestock could be better utilised to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing agricultural frameworks.
“This would allow for a more streamlined and cost-effective approach to supporting the livestock sector’s development.”
The NPID urged President Tinubu to carefully consider the long-term implications of creating a new Ministry and to instead focus on optimising the existing institutional structures to address the challenges faced by livestock farmers and other stakeholders.
