NASS Rejects N11.8bn Allocated for Start-Up of Newly Established Livestock Ministry

The National Assembly (NASS) rejects the N11.8 billion budget proposed for the take-off of the newly established Ministry of Livestock, raising concerns over fiscal priorities.

The Senate and House of Representatives’ Joint Committee on Livestock Development has declined the proposed 2025 budget allocation of N11.8 billion intended for launching the newly established Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

The committee chairman, Senator Musa Mustapha, stated that lawmakers are conscious of the significant challenges involved in launching a ministry. Therefore, they will review the budget with the intention of making adjustments.

The Federal Government proposed a budget of N10 billion for capital expenditure and N1.8 billion for overhead in the 2025 budget of the ministry, which began its activities around three months ago.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, who appeared alongside agency officials before the joint committee, outlined various challenges facing the ministry and mentioned that structures are still being established.

He stated, “The takeoff process is underway with essential structures being assembled by the foundational departments of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.”

“We still don’t have office accommodation,” he said.

Wale Raji, Chairman of the House Committee on Livestock Development, questioned the level of input from the Presidential Implementation Committee regarding the launch of the ministry.

You will need to either prepare a special presentation on this or develop a supplementary budget that aligns with the aspirations of Nigerians.

“The budget is far too low to meet the needs and desires of Nigerians,” he stated.