KOGI STATE TAKES GIANT LEAP IN LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT WITH THE PILOT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRIVATE VETERINARY PRACTICE (PVP) PROGRAMME UNDER PERFORMANCE BASED CONDITION.
Democracynewsline
In a significant move to boost livestock production and enhance food safety and security in Kogi State, the state government has flagged off the Pilot Implementation of the Private Veterinary Practice (PVP) Programme. The PVP Programme, which is being supported by the World Bank Assisted L-PRES Project is designed to address the gaps identified in the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) core capacities and challenges of limited access to veterinary services, inadequate resources, and public and environmental health challenges in Nigeria. Hence, the programme aims to enhance livestock production, food safety, and security, as well as promote global health.
The consideration of Kogi State to implement the PVP Programme by the World Bank Assisted L-PRES Project is a testament to the commitment of the Kogi State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State collaborating with international organizations to drive economic and social development, develop the agricultural sector to increase productivity, improve means of livelihood and the welfare of citizens and ensure food security in the state.
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The Kogi State Government has graciously approved and provided the necessary support for the commencement of the pilot implementation of the PVP Programme, domiciled in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Lokoja. The programme will select 10 private veterinary practitioners from 24 profiled practitioners, who will be fully supported to render free veterinary services to 2,000 profiled livestock farmers under the L-PRES Project in Kogi State.
The State Implementation Committee has procured and taken delivery of a Hilux vehicle, 20 motorcycles, and medical consumables.
The State Implementation Committee is also making arrangements for the procurement of additional medical consumables, training, and capacity building of private veterinarians and livestock farmers, and additional 10 electric motorcycles to support the delivery of sanitary mandates and ensure clean energy and adaptation to climate change in Kogi State.
During the flag-off ceremony, the governor thanks the World Bank for supporting the agricultural revitalization efforts of his administration. His Excellency further appreciated the World Bank, The National Coordination Office and the entire management of the L-PRES Project for the consideration of Kogi State for the establishment of Livestock Service Centre (LSC) at Osara and call on the state to make judicious use of the support and public infrastructure, aimed at boosting livestock production in the State.
The National Project Coordinator (NPC) gave a detailed information on the idea of PVP Programme and how it was designed to be implemented under a performance-based condition financing, stressing the need for proper documentation, transparency, accountability in the implementation of PVP programme.
The Focal Person, PVP programme in Kogi State and the Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security, Hon Otaru Abdulkabir Onoruoyiza, assured of the commitment of the State Implementation Committee to ensure seamless implementation of the programme, for the benefit of livestock farmers and other stakeholders in the State.
The flag-off ceremony of the PVP Programme was attended by dignitaries, including the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the World Bank Team led by Dr Maneivel Sene, the Task Team Leader (TTL), Dr Chidozie Anyiro, the Co-Task Team Leader and Dr Sanusi Abubakar, the National Project Coordinator of the L-PRES Project. Other dignitaries from the state are the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, The Commissioners, The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Multilateral and Donor Funded Projects, the Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, The Kogi State Project Coordinator of L-PRES Project and his team, representative of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) and Association of Private Veterinarian in Kogi State, Livestock Farmers and the leadership of the Livestock Commodity Associations in the state.
Yahaya Shehu Ahmed
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Media
