By Daniel Tyokua
The Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Lawan Kolo Geidam, has emphasized the importance of enhanced cooperation between the Secretariat and the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) to optimize Veterinary services in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The call was made during a courtesy visit by the newly elected officials of the NVMA at the weekend.
Geidam highlighted their essential role in propelling the livestock sector, a significant contributor to job creation, individual livelihoods, and the national economy.
The FCT Administration, according to him, is responding to this significant role by prioritizing veterinary practice particularly in the areas employment of qualified veterinarians as well as in robust training programmes that will help expose them to international best practices that can enhance their capacities to deliver quality animal healthcare services to FCT populace.
Geidam also used the occasion to assure that the Administration will build on the successes achieved in animal vaccination and treatment by tapping into the expertise of NVMA members and other key stakeholders.
The Secretary praised the dedication of veterinary doctors, particularly those working in the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat. “I must commend your members members with Secretariat who are always ready to give their best, During our mass vaccination and treatment exercises you find them he said, adding that they can often be in every nook and crannies and even under harsh weather conditions doing their work found providing vaccination and diligently doing their jobs”
Geidam also stressed that the Secretariat would bolster the work of the Committee established by the FCT Administration to regulate and streamline veterinary practice premises in the FCT and the present leadership of he FCT Administration will do its best to equipp the various veterinary clinics with modern facilities and high-quality medications to enhance veterinary services.
In her remark, Chairperson of the Association, Dr Chinna Joe-Iruobe, lauded the FCT Administration for its advancements in animal vaccination and clinical operations.
She stressed the significance of government investment in building the capacities of FCT Veterinary Doctors to ensure optimum services are provided to the public.
Joe-Iruobe expressed concern over the activities of unqualified Veterinary practitioners, urging the FCT Administration to provide the necessary backing to the NVMA in its efforts to regulate and enforce compliance to ethical veterinary practices in the FCT.
