The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) has dismissed reports claiming it budgeted ₦140 million for the rehabilitation of Emir palaces and mosques in Kaduna State, insisting the projects are not part of the ministry’s budget.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Henrietta Okokon, described the reports as misleading, explaining that the controversial budget items belong to the Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Plateau State, and not the ministry’s headquarters.
According to her, the college is a self-accounting institution with its own independent budget.
She said several other projects unrelated to livestock development, which appeared in the college’s budget, were also wrongly attributed to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
“This has created the erroneous impression that the Ministry appropriated funds for projects that do not form part of its programmes and priorities,” the statement said.
The ministry urged the public, media organisations and other stakeholders to distinguish between its headquarters’ budget and the separate budgets of agencies and institutions under its supervision before drawing conclusions or publishing reports.
While acknowledging public concerns over the budget, the ministry assured Nigerians that it remains committed to transparency, accountability and prudent management of public funds.
It added that efforts would be intensified to strengthen coordination with agencies under its supervision to ensure future budget proposals align with institutional mandates and are clearly presented to avoid public misunderstanding.
The ministry also appealed to journalists and media organisations to verify budget information with appropriate government authorities before publication to prevent the spread of misleading reports.
