The Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Dr. Bayero Salih Farah has harped on the urgent need to develop policy covering regulations and guidelines on livestock transportation in Nigeria. He noted that livestock transportation is a complex process that requires advanced planning, regulation, and due diligence. Dr. Farah made these submissions on Wednesday in Abuja while giving his opening address at a two- day national conference organized by NITT on the theme: “Developing A Policy Framework for Transportation of Livestock in Nigeria”.

He said, “As you are aware, transportation is the melting-pot of the socio-economic life of every nation, as there is hardly any sphere of the economy that can thrive without transportation. Sadly, the transportation of livestock in Nigeria is beset with a myriad of problems such as, lack of regulations and guidelines, inadequate infrastructure, poor sanitation and safety precautions, among others. Therefore, livestock are largely transported from one point to another in rickety vehicles and without due consideration for animal welfare issues. This sometimes results in accidents and injuries to the animals and ultimately, loss of income to business.

We are well aware that animals are valued for economic, environmental, social and even cultural reasons. Livestock therefore, do not only provide food and income, they are also used for sport, recreation, and scientific research. Given their critical importance, livestock welfare has become a global concern. Welfare concerns of livestock during transportation include, their handling, duration of transport, mortality, and the responsibilities of drivers/handlers, among others.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’id Ahmed Alkali noted that the need for the conference was long overdue. He said “As we gather here today, we must acknowledge that the transportation of livestock, whether by road, rail, ship, boat, or air requires urgent attention and standardization. The transportation of livestock is a crucial component of Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, connecting livestock producers in rural areas to consumer markets in our cities and beyond. However, the current state of livestock transportation in Nigeria presents significant challenges from inadequate infrastructure, to safety and welfare concerns for the animals, to logistical inefficiencies that drive up costs for producers and consumers alike”. The Minister was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Adeoye Adeleye Ayodeji. He commended the Management of NITT for taking the initiative to come up with the policy framework for livestock transportation and promised that his ministry will be ready to give them the necessary support in achieving this goal.

In his goodwill message at the occasion, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Adamu Aliero thanked the leadership of NITT for organizing the conference and promised that the National Assembly will give urgent attention and consideration to any bill on livestock transportation. The conference brought together, experts from the academia, veterinary teaching hospitals, as well as officials from the Ministries of Transportation and Agriculture. Also in attendance were officials of road transport unions, Federal Road Safety Corps and the Civil Defence. The two days conference is organized to enable stakeholders come up with a policy framework covering regulations and guidelines for the safe, humane, hygienic, and sustainable livestock transportation in Nigeria.