FG renames Animal production department, makes it a full fledge from veterinary

FG

*Association demand second term of former director

In a spirited effort aimed at ensuring professionalism in animal production in Nigeria, the Federal Government through its Head of Service has approved the change of name of the department of Animal Production and Husbandry of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Abuja and all its divisional offices to Animal Husbandry Services Department.

A source close to the ministry hinted that intervention from the Head of Service is coming on the heels of the crisis the department has been facing, and which is negatively impacting on the nation’s productivity even as there is no policy document for animal production due to the professional tussle that the immediate past minister revolved between the veterinarians and animal scientists.

Recently, the Head of Service of the Federation approved the change thereby making the department a full-fledged entity that will be entitled to professionalism in all ramification of animal productivity management- breeding, feeding, milking, and meat processing as it is assumed that the veterinary department will concentrate on the disease treatment and containment.

Also recently, on Agro- Television, the National President of Animal Science Association of Nigeria, Mr. Taiwo Adeoye  said agricultural policy would not move forward except the  present Permanent Secretary (PS) and the Human Resources Director of the FMARD are removed because of the perception that the PS  is ‘stronger’ than the minister for reason  attributed to the connection  with the first lady, stressing that the life of one of his members in the ministry has been threatened because of the matter.

Adeoye said that all measures taken to ensure the return of the initial director, an animal scientist who was mischievously removed and replaced by a veterinarian doctor fell on deaf ears even at the directive of the minister for reversal, adding that the continuous present of these two public servants would be detrimental to agricultural development in the country as their role is very strategic in the ministry towards policy implementation.

Another source in the ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity told Food Farm News that he had never witnessed a situation where a director’s office would just be invaded without any criminal allegation,  saying:” this is what our ministry has turned into based on the mentality of the PS and his cohort. Why should a director’s properties and official car be impounded without any official letter and proper handing over to the police if they have had any genuine reasons other than mischief?”.

Another anonymous source told Food Farm News that the unprofessional leadership of the department in the last few months under the veterinarian has cost the ministry a great loss running to millions of naira demanding why a committee has not been constituted to investigate the cause of the fire outbreak and why a pasture programme in Paikokore has been flagged off by the Mr. President.

Already the of Animal Science Association of Nigeria has sent its complaint to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment seeking redress for the action meted on the former Director of Animal Husbandry Services Dr. Ademola Raji saying the action has contravened section 4(2) (1) of the Nigeria Institute of Animal Science Act, No 26 of 2007 which states that only a registered person should be appointed as a director in this department. They therefore called for the recall of the director for the completion of his second term.