The Joint Committee on Livestock Development of the Senate and House of Representatives has rejected the 2025 budgetary provision of N11.8 billion for the takeoff of the newly established Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
The committee chairman, Sen. Musa Mustapha said lawmakers are aware of enormous challenges associated with taking off a ministry, hence, they will look into the budget with a view to re-adjust it.
The Federal Government had proposed a budget of N10 billion for capital expenditure and N1.8 billion for overhead in the 2025 budget of the ministry which commenced activities about three months ago.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha who appeared before the joint committee with officials of the agency listed numerous challenges confronting the ministry, stating that structures are still being put together.
He said: “The take off process is ongoing with necessary structures being put together from formative departments from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
“We are yet to have office accommodation,” he said.
Wale Raji, Chairman House Committee on Livestock Development, queried the amount of input from the Presidential Implementation Committee for the take – off of the ministry.
“There will be need for you to make special presentation on this or come up with supplementary budget that will reflect the hope of Nigerians.
“The budget is abysmally low to respond to the yearnings of Nigerians,” he said.
NASS rejects N11.8bn budgeted for take-off of newly established Livestock Ministry