Ministers, traders seek safer livestock movement at Katsina dialogue

Government officials, livestock dealers and foodstuff traders have called for improved safety and efficiency in the transportation of livestock across Nigeria during a stakeholders’ dialogue held in Katsina State.

The North-West zonal symposium, organised by the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuffs and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCON), focused on addressing road safety concerns and blockages on major highways affecting the movement of livestock and agricultural produce.

The event, held at the Local Government Service Commission Conference Hall in Katsina on Saturday, drew senior government officials, industry stakeholders and trade associations from across the North-West.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda, Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe, Jigawa State Deputy Governor Aminu Usman, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Livestock Development, Muktar Idi Maiha, and Minister of Housing, Mustapha Rabe.

Also present were the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Aliyu Sahabi Abdullahi, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Bello Kaoje, as well as representatives of cattle dealers, butchers and foodstuff traders.

The symposium, themed “Enhancing Road Safety in Livestock Transportation and Addressing Blockages on National Highways,” examined challenges facing the livestock value chain and explored measures to improve the movement of animals and agricultural commodities nationwide.

The Katsina State Police Command, which provided security for the gathering, said the event was conducted peacefully and concluded without incident.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that the resolutions reached at the dialogue would help strengthen road safety, ease transportation bottlenecks and enhance the efficiency of livestock transportation across the country.