Chinedum Treasure
Anambra State Government says it will continue to champion efforts that are geared towards improving public and animal health in the state.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, made this disclosure while receiving the newly elected Executive Members of Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) Anambra State Chapter on a courtesy visit to his office.
According to him, his Ministry will collaborate with the association to ensure proper surveillance and enlightenment on animal health across the state.
“The import of veterinary services in the agricultural sector and by extension the public health is quite significant and the sentiments expressed along the limited availability of qualified veterinary Doctors in the state also noted.
“In the human health sector, solution government has rehabilitated infrastructure, employed more health workers and made public health services more attractive.
” Government is very much aware of the need to intervene in the veterinary services sector of the Ministry of Agriculture mandate”
The Commissioner explained that government wanted to utilise the opportunity afforded by Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Programme (L-Pres) to intervene in the sector across animal husbandry and veterinary services.
While regretting delay in commencement of the project in the state, he however, expressed optimism that in no distant time the project would take off to address challenges of infrastructure, lack of laboratory services and employment of staff.
He commended the association for considering it proper to line up a number of activities to commemorate World Veterinary Day in the state, assuring of his active participation during the programme.
Earlier, the State Chairman of the Association, Dr Victor Ughaerumba, said they came to seek ways of collaborating with the Ministry in improving animal health in the state, especially participation in this year’s World Veterinary Day.
“The World Veterinary Day celebration is coming up on Saturday, 26th April 2025. We are using this visit to invite you and the Ministry to be part of this year’s event’
While describing the theme “Animal Health Takes A Team” as apt, he enumerated activities lined up for the celebration to include public enlightenment campaign and visit to Kwata Slaughter Slab,Awka for meat inspection.
He also called for building of a modern abattoir in the state, establishment of veterinary laboratories to serve the state veterinary department and private veterinary clinics as well as refurbishment of veterinary facilities across the state.
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