From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The pertinent need to revitalise the Enugu State veterinary farm settlement at Achi, in Oji River local government area of Enugu, scaled through the first reading at Enugu State House of Assembly on Tuesday, October 8.
The motion was moved by Hon. Osita Eze, representing Oji River constituency at the state assembly.
He told his colleagues that the Achi farm settlement was historic and a beacon of veterinary services in the defunct Eastern region, gingered the livestock industry in Nigeria but presently in comatose.
He expressed the urgent need to revitalise the institution,converting it to a polytechnhc affiliated to Enugu State polytechnic,Iwollo.
He lamented that encroachment into Achi farm settlement by outsiders is hindering it’s operations.
Hon. Eze said the lack of laboratories and other facilities has decreased the productivity and internally generated revenue(IGR) capacity of the institution.
He prayed for the support of his colleagues in convincing the Enugu state government to embark on urgent revitalisation of the Achi farm school, to re-invent the livestock and piggery sections and to ensure perimeter fencing of the school to stop encroachment on the school’s land by outsiders.
Hon. Iloabuchi Aniagu, representing Nkanu West Constituency who seconded the motion, said the revitalisation of Achi farm settlement will facilitate the training of veterinary doctors and related professionals who will supervise the Enugu State Ranching Agencies.
Hon. Aniagu urged the state ministry of Agriculture to ensure that funds for the revitalisation of Enugu State Veterinary farm settlement at Achi is accommodated in the 2025 state budget of the state.
Hon.Williams Amoka, representing Igbo -Etiti West constitueny, said he went as far as Osun state to bring a veterinary doctor to treat his animals when his farm was disease infected .
He said the revitalisation of Achi farm settlement will enhance availability of veterinary doctors and other techniciatons in the state.
On their parts, Hon. Anthony Nwankwo, representing Awgu South, Hon. Clifford Ede of Igbo Eze North, Hon.Okechukwu Aneke representing Udi South constituency, among others, saw reason in the motion for revitalisation of Enugu State Veterinary farm settlement Achi, by Hon. Osita Eze.
Welcoming the submission of his colleagues, the Speaker,vEnugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uche Ugwu, said the law that established the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, did not make it easy to grant the fourth prayer by Hon. Osita Eze to affiliate Achi farm settlement to it, but concurred with other prayers.
