…Says initiative will strengthen disease prevention
By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Livestock Development, Mr. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has commissioned a newly constructed 40 million-dose capacity solar-powered national strategic vaccine cold storage facility in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Director, Information and Public Relations Department, at the Ministry, Mr. Ben Goong, quoted the Minister as saying that the initiative aims to reduce livestock mortality rates and improve Nigeria’s ability to prevent and control diseases.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Thursday, at the Sheda Science and Technology Complex in the Gwagwalada Area Council Abuja, the Minister reiterated that the facility will strengthen national disease prevention and response, support local vaccine production and distribution, and enhance Nigeria’s livestock industry.
He said the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises economic revitalization, food security, and sustainable development.
“The livestock sector plays an essential role in ensuring food security, safety of food of animal origin, public health, and economic prosperity. However, for too long, inadequate vaccine storage capacity has impeded our efforts in disease prevention and control.
“Today, we are bridging this critical gap with a world-class facility that will ensure efficient storage and distribution of vaccines across the country,” he said.
Maiha, added that the facility’s 40-million-dose capacity will help manage enzootic diseases, transboundary animal disease outbreaks, and major zoonotic threats, thereby protecting both animal and human health.
“With 40 million doses, we are now better equipped to respond to and manage enzootics, outbreaks of transboundary animal diseases, and major zoonotic threats, thereby safeguarding both animal and human health,” he stated.
While commending the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), a World Bank-supported initiative, for its role in the project, Maiha called on stakeholders to work together to ensure its proper maintenance, utilisation, and sustainability.
“This is a collective responsibility, and together, we can build a stronger and healthier livestock sector beneficial to all Nigerians,” he said.
The Co-Chairman of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Committee, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said the facility represents a major step toward improving productivity and resilience in Nigeria’s livestock sector.
He urged stakeholders to take full advantage of the facility and assured them of continued efforts to strengthen livestock development in the country.
“This facility will be of immense benefit to the sector,” Jega, said, while calling on stakeholders to take full advantage of it. He also promised to intensify efforts toward building a stronger livestock sector in the country.
The National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Sanusi Abubakar, said the facility will improve quality control, traceability, and emergency vaccination response.
“We are working to ensure private veterinary services remain accessible within the livestock value chain.” he added.
