The Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Anambra State Chapter, has renewed its call for the establishment of a Ministry of Veterinary Services and Livestock Development, warning that the absence of a dedicated ministry is hindering livestock development, disease control, and food security in the state.
The association said creating the ministry would provide the institutional framework needed for effective planning, funding, policy implementation, research, and innovation in the livestock sector, which it described as a vital component of Anambra’s economy.
The demand was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Anambra Livestock Expo 2026, held at the Nnewi North Local Government Secretariat under the theme: “Ensuring and Sustaining the Availability of Animal Protein in the Diet of Our Local Communities.”
The communiqué was jointly signed by the State Chairman of the association, Dr. Victor Ughaerumba, and the Assistant Secretary, Dr. Favour Okwaraeke.
According to the association, despite sustained engagement with government officials, Anambra is yet to establish a dedicated ministry to coordinate livestock production, strengthen veterinary services, and enhance the surveillance and control of animal diseases.
The veterinarians noted that the current agricultural structure places greater emphasis on crop production, leaving livestock development, veterinary public health, animal welfare, and disease prevention with insufficient attention.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Dr. Ughaerumba commended the efforts of the Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture but stressed that the livestock sector requires a separate institutional framework because of its strategic importance to food security, nutrition, and economic growth.
He said the creation of a Ministry of Veterinary Services and Livestock Development would transform the sector by increasing livestock productivity, creating employment opportunities, boosting farmers’ incomes, and strengthening the state’s capacity to prevent and manage animal diseases.
The association also expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of government veterinary clinics across the state, urging the government to rehabilitate the facilities by deploying qualified personnel, providing essential medicines and diagnostic equipment, and improving operational support.
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It further called on the state government to establish modern abattoirs equipped with standard slaughter facilities, cold-chain systems, efficient waste management infrastructure, and effective veterinary meat inspection services to ensure food safety.
The veterinarians also appealed for the provision of operational vehicles to strengthen field operations, disease surveillance, and emergency response across the state.
According to the association, improved logistics would enhance its capacity to support government efforts to protect animal health, safeguard public health, ensure food safety, and improve livestock productivity.
The NVMA maintained that increased investment in veterinary services and livestock development is no longer optional but essential to guaranteeing a stable supply of animal protein, strengthening the agricultural economy, and protecting the health of both animals and humans in Anambra State.
