THE Veterinary Council of Nigeria has stated that poor funding, obsolete and outdated laws and legislations are the major challenges militating against the full realisation of its mandates. The Council members who stated this in a  communique issued at the end of the retreat held for council members in Abuja noted that lack of effective administrative structure in the Council is another challenge militating against its growth.

According to the communique, “There is a lack of synergy leading to disconnect in the operation of different professional groups in the animal health sector leading to non-optimal service delivery. The communique read in part: “Standard,  focus and delivery of veterinary Continuing Education Programme (CEP) of the council, over the years, has dwindled making it unable to meet CEP original set objectives and expectations.

“There is a lack of sound administrative structure of the College of Veterinary Surgeons, Nigeria (CVSN) leading to the inability of the College to deliver on its set mandates. While noting that there is lack of well structured regional integration and collaboration on veterinary matters that would open up opportunities for veterinarians in the ECOWAS sub-region and beyond,  the Council resolved to digitalise the veterinary activities and practice.

It, however, reiterated the need to urgently restructure the veterinary council of Nigeria to meet both current and future needs of the profession and review laws to meet current realities. It also said it would seek means of improving its funding status through the increased governmental budgetary provision, internally generated revenue drive,  collaborative grants and donations from corporate organisations, donor agencies and development partners.
It further said it would vigorously pursue the realisation of the establishment of the Veterinary Specialist Hospital,  Abuja project, pursue regional integration of Veterinary activities, job creation in public service for young veterinarians and to create enabling environment for private veterinary practice.

SOURCE: TRIBUNE