Jos: The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has announced plans to upgrade facilities at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, located near the city of Jos. This commitment was made by the Minister of Livestock Development, Mr. Idi Maiha, during his visit to the institute.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister stated that the move is part of the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to equip the institute for optimal performance. Mr. Maiha highlighted that laboratories, workshops, and other facilities would be the focus of the upgrades. The need for these enhancements has become pressing with the initiation of the National Livestock Transformation Programme at the Grazing Reserve in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau.
Mr. Maiha noted the historical significance of NVRI, acknowledging its age of over 100 years and the outdated condition of its equipment. He commended the staff for their resilience and ingenuity in managing these facilities effectively despite their age. The minister emphasized that there is no need to establish a new institute, but rather to rejuvenate the existing one due to its crucial role in animal disease control, vaccine production, surveillance, and research.
Addressing the institute's funding challenges, Mr. Maiha mentioned that NVRI is currently underfunded, receiving only half of its financial requirements. He assured that efforts would be made to bridge gaps in the national disease surveillance and control system, stressing the importance of empowering NVRI to meet the country's vaccine needs. The minister also pointed out that while the institute has passed structural integrity tests, adequate funding is necessary for it to become fully operational under the mandate of the new Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.