President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to establish a Ministry of Livestock Development is aimed at enhancing protein production, increasing employment opportunities and boosting government revenues, says Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi....READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
Fagbemi spoke on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the State House after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, explaining that the proposed Ministry will focus on livestock development, while the Ministry of Agriculture focuses on other aspects of agriculture.
The Minister said that President Tinubu “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 the concerns that this runs contrary to the government’s goal of reducing governance costs, Fagbemi emphasized that the benefits of this decision would outweigh the costs.
The new Ministry would facilitate large-scale livestock production and improve protein intake while generating revenue and employment opportunities for Nigerians, he stressed
“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 Ministry, 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.
“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”, Fagbemi added….READ FULL ARTICLE
