Lagos Inaugurates Task Force On Veterinary Practice

The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, has inaugurated an 11-man Task Force on Veterinary Practice Premises in furtherance of its Red Meat Value Chain Transformation Agenda, just as she received the working team from the Veterinary Council of Nigeria.

Ms. Olusanya explained that the Task Force is expected to inspect, register and license veterinary premises that meet set requirements, stressing that the Government has given greater priority to the development of the Red Meat Value Chain through animal traceability, reactivation of control posts and quarantine at entry points in the State.

The Commissioner solicited the support and co-operation of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria towards the success of the State’s Red Meat Value Chain Transformation Agenda, adding that the veterinary services directorate has a very critical role to play in the process.

In her words: “I am delighted to welcome the team from the Veterinary Council of Nigeria to Lagos State, to the flag-off of the Task Force on the State Veterinary Practice Premises. The Task Force is expected to inspect, register and license veterinary premises that meet set requirements and the aim is to have premises with the right sets of professionals that will render quality services to the citizenry”.

She pointed out that the State Government had already put in place a standing Committee, which derives its power from the Veterinary Premises Authority Act of 1978, to aid the smooth operation and activities of the Task Force.

Olusanya stated that the Committee had been able to officially renew and update the registration status of 30 Veterinary clinics, 55 Veterinary pharmacies and six veterinary pharmaceutical companies in the Year 2020, through the Lagos State Private Veterinary Premises Registration Authority (PVPRA), adding that this was made possible by the synergy between State Veterinary Department and the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Lagos.

She said, “As a result of this, we have been able to maintain an acceptable standard of veterinary service delivery amongst private practitioners; maintain a strong and growing impact on anti-quackery and sharp practices in veterinary services delivery in Lagos State; upgrade and rehabilitate our Veterinary clinics at Ajah, Ikorodu and Badagry; equip and furnish our Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Agege with reagents, chemicals and diagnostic kits to aid the extent and scope of service at the laboratory as a referral Veterinary Laboratory; as well as procure Veterinary Ambulance/Mobile Veterinary Clinic”.

Earlier, the President, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, AIG (Dr.) Aishatu Baju, noted that Lagos State remains very strategic in the livestock industry in Nigeria as it holds the highest number of private veterinary premises and related industries in the country.

Dr. Baju commended Lagos State for supporting the livestock industry over the years and solicited for improvement, disclosing that the Veterinary Council of Nigeria is in the process of digitalising and geo-mapping of all Veterinary practices across the country.

She called on all unregistered and illegal Veterinary outfits in the entire nation to register with their various State committees within the next 60 days or face the full wrath of the law. 

Members of the Task Force are Dr. Rasheed Macaulay (Chairman); DCP Idris Nagoyo; Dr. Idris Adegboyega; Dr. Ayokunle Omileye; Dr. (Mrs.) Mary Ogunleye; Dr. Olufemi Aroso; Dr. Mobolaji Alao; Dr. Funmilayo Alao; Dr. (Mrs.) Helen Oputa-Chime; Dr. Sunday Adigun and Mr. Oluwaseyi Ogbe.