The Enugu State Government has engaged more than 160 veterinary and paraveterinary doctors, laboratory scientists and other professionals as part of efforts to revive and expand livestock production across the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Patrick Nwabueze, disclosed this on Monday during a familiarisation meeting with the newly engaged workers at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Nwabueze said the recruitment was part of Governor Peter Mbah’s efforts to reposition the agricultural sector, particularly livestock production, while strengthening the workforce required to provide veterinary and technical services across the state.
According to the commissioner, Enugu has 17 veterinary clinics across its 17 local government areas, but many have suffered from inadequate professional manpower over the years.
“We have 17 veterinary clinics across the local governments in the state, and we want to revive all of them. We were intentional in their screening because we wanted the best to handle the livestock sector,” he said.
Nwabueze said the newly engaged professionals would help improve veterinary services and position Enugu to compete more effectively in livestock production.
He added that the state government would also deploy technology and innovation to improve productivity and strengthen the livestock value chain.
Also speaking, the State Project Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), Dr. Ifeyinwa Nnajieze, said three of the newly engaged workers would be posted to each of the 17 local government areas to provide livestock related services.
Nnajieze said the recruitment demonstrated the government’s intention to transform livestock farming from predominantly subsistence production into a more commercialised sector.
She urged the new employees to demonstrate professionalism and commitment in carrying out their duties, stressing that indiscipline and lack of seriousness would not be tolerated.
The development is expected to strengthen veterinary services, improve livestock productivity and support the growth of commercial livestock production across Enugu State.
By Enitan Mudashiru | MUK TV News
