From Godwin Tsa Abuja
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has asked Ecogold Company, manufacturers of animal fattening products, to establish a factory in Nigeria as a matter of urgency in order to boost animal feeds in the country.
The minister stated this when the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ecogold Company, Mr. Martins Nwaege, and his team paid him a working visit in his office, in Abuja, today.
Maiha revealed that the ministry is working towards transforming the livestock sector through the construction of modern abattoirs, massive pasture cultivation, feedlots for animal fattening, ranches, and massive animal health coverage, among others.
While assuring Ecogold Company of partnership with the ministry, the minister tasked the company to establish a factory in Nigeria, in order to reduce import dependency on animal fattening products. Maiha said Nigeria is currently spending millions of dollars on the importation of animal feeds.
“Let us leverage this and see what we can come up with”…..the minister maintained.
He added, “We want to partner with you and ensure that the product goes nationwide.”
The minister equally advised ECOGOLD to organise stakeholder engagements to enable the company to promote the products effectively and efficiently.
Speaking earlier, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Martins Nwaege, assured the minister that the proposed Nigeria feed factory will come on stream within two years, adding that he will use Nigeria as a pilot country, and later move to other African countries. He stressed that the initiative will create job opportunities for women and youths in the country.
The CEO emphasised that the product has been certified by the National animal production research institute NAPRI.