The Enugu State government has employed over 160 veterinary and para-veterinary doctors, laboratory scientists and other professionals as part of its efforts to revive and expand livestock production in the state.

The commissioner for agriculture and agro-industrialisation, Patrick Ubru, disclosed this while addressing the new workers in Enugu on Monday.

Mr Ubru said the recruitment was in fulfilment of Governor Peter Mbah’s vision to revamp the agricultural sector, particularly livestock production, and strengthen the human resources needed to drive the sector.

He said the government was deliberate in the recruitment process, adding that the candidates were carefully screened to ensure that only qualified professionals were engaged.

“We were intentional in their screening because we wanted the best for the job,” he said.

The commissioner said the livestock sector had, for a long time, suffered from a shortage of professionals capable of providing the required veterinary and technical services across the state.

He said the new workers would help position the state to compete in livestock production, while the government would also introduce technology and innovation to improve productivity.

“We have 17 veterinary clinics across the local governments in the state, and we want to revive all of them.

“In addition to making sure that the state has the best professionals, we are also introducing technology and innovations into the livestock sector to make it competitive,” he said.

 Ifeyinwa Nnajieze, the state project coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), said three of the new workers would be posted to each of the 17 local government areas to provide livestock-related services.

Mr Nnajieze said the recruitment demonstrated the state government’s commitment to transforming livestock production from subsistence farming into a commercially viable sector.

“With what we have seen, our governor is being intentional about reviving the state’s livestock sector, moving it from just mere subsistence to a commercialised sector,” she said.

On his part, the special adviser to the governor on agriculture, Williams Nnamdi, urged the new employees to take their responsibilities seriously.

Mr Nnamdi warned that the government would not tolerate indiscipline or unseriousness in the discharge of their duties.

One of them, a veterinary doctor, Chidiebere Joseph, thanked Mbah for giving them the opportunity to serve.

He pledged that he and his colleagues would maintain professionalism in delivering on their mandate to transform the livestock sector. 

(NAN)