Edo State government is to collaborate with University of Benin (UNIBEN) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine on ways to remedy the needed veterinary gab in the state.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Osagie Peter disclosed this during a meeting with the Dean and Management staff of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Benin at his office in Benin City.
He said “Edo State has the infrastructure and technical facilities to support research for clinical student’s activities”.
The collaboration comes in the wake of a revelation by Comrade Sunny Omokaro, National President of National Butchers Employers Association that there is shortage of veterinary medicine personnel in the South -South.
According to Omokaro, “By law, every animal must be inspected before and after slaughter. But in Edo State, over 70% of animals are not inspected at all because we have only eight veterinary doctors—four in the field and four in the office. This is dangerous. If there were an epidemic today from meat consumption, it would be impossible to trace its source.”
“In the past, veterinary doctors were stationed at abattoirs, waiting to inspect animals before butchering. Ideally, each abattoir should have a resident veterinary doctor. Government must act fast before it’s too late.”
The Dean of the Faculty, Professor Ero Uwagie Edwin said the collaboration with the Ministry would work well for student’s activities in clinics, abattoirs and research as he appreciated the Ministry for past collaboration and support.
