As part of efforts to revive dilapidated livestock infrastructure across the country, the Federal Government has reaffirmed its plan to work with the private sector through Public Private Partnerships to rehabilitate 38 legacy facilities spread across the six geopolitical zones.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this on Monday during a specialised training on Public Private Partnership organised by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in Abuja.
He explained that many of the facilities, which include milk collection centres, cattle multiplication centres, goat and sheep breeding centres and pig progeny centres, were established between 60 and 70 years ago and have since fallen into serious disrepair, making rehabilitation inevitable.
According to the minister, restoring the facilities through a partnership arrangement would be faster and more cost effective than building new ones from scratch.
He described the Public Private Partnership framework as the most practical business approach for returning the assets to active and profitable use.
Maiha noted that well designed partnerships would attract private capital, encourage innovation and create employment opportunities, while also helping to reduce conflicts and improve productivity within the livestock sector.
He added that revitalising the facilities would significantly enhance the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians who depend on livestock related activities.
He stressed that the knowledge gained from the training should result in properly structured projects that are financially sound, socially inclusive, environmentally responsible and consistent with national development goals.
Also speaking at the event, a representative of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Dr Amanze Okere, said Public Private Partnership projects are built on clearly defined agreements between government and private investors.
He explained that while the government focuses on policy formulation and regulation, the private sector brings technical know-how, operational efficiency, maintenance expertise and funding to the table.
The training programme attracted participants from civil society organisations, nongovernmental organisations, farmers associations and private sector operators, all of whom were engaged on strategies for successful partnership implementation in the livestock industry.
