The National Assembly has raised concerns over the adequacy of the N10bn allocated for capital projects in the Ministry of Livestock Development’s 2025 budget, calling it insufficient to meet the sector’s growing needs.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, made this statement on Tuesday, who appeared before a joint meeting of the Senate and House Committees on Livestock Development, to defend the Ministry’s budget proposal.
The session, marked by robust discussions on the Ministry’s strategic plans and sectoral challenges, saw lawmakers stressing the importance of increased funding to address the sector’s urgent needs.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, Raji Olawale, expressed concern over the current budget allocation.
“The budget allocation of N10bn for capital projects is inadequate given the expectations of Nigerians. We need a concerted effort to bridge the gap between expectations and available resources,” Olawale stated.
The budget, which also includes N1.8bn for overheads, was outlined by the Minister as a strategic attempt to address critical issues within the livestock sector, including infrastructure development for ranches and improved animal health services.
However, lawmakers were unconvinced that the proposed funds would be enough to deliver on the high expectations placed on the Ministry following its creation.