Livestock production support project underway in Gombe
Gombe State Government on Thursday indicated readiness to commence implementation of the Livestock Production and Resilience Support Project.
Our correspondent reports that the project is a World Bank funded aimed at enhancing livestock production through effective value chain strategy that provide jobs and create wealth to those engaging in the business.
The Secretary to the Government of the State, Professor Ibrahim Njodi, announced the state’s readiness when he received on behalf of Governor Muhammadu Yahaya the National Coordinator of the project at Government House Gombe.
Professor Njodi said, “the choice of Gombe State, along seven other states in the country to benefit from the project is born out the Governor Yahaya’s commitment to boost Livestock production given its huge potential in the state.”
He also assured the state government’s willingness to contribute its quota, “where needed to ensure successful implementation of the project for the benefit of both livestock and crop farmers in Gombe State,” he said.
The SGS therefore enjoined the National Coordinator and the National Coordinating office and the State Coordinating office to work in synergy as well as fast track the immediate commencement of the project implementation.
In his remark, the National Coordinator of Livestock Production and Resilience Support Project Sanusi Abubakar, said his team is in the state to assess the level of its preparedness to implementation of the project.
Abubakar said, “the six-year project is expected to among other objectives strengthening national institutional framework for robust livestock production, upscaling of livestock farmer knowledge, value chain enhancement and farmer/herder conflict prevention and management.”
He expressed appreciation for the level of commitment so far exhibited by the Gombe State Government and assured that as soon as disbursement of funds begins implementation of the project would start without delay.
Earlier, the State Coordinator, Dr Usman Bello said when fully implemented the state stand to profit in the establishment of modern abattoir, diary processing facilities, Livestock Service Centre, adding that “it will help in tackling environmental challenges in the state and reduced famer harder clashes.”
Bello also explained that Wawa Zange grazing reserve will also receive massive attention as the major challenge of the reserve has been source of steady water supply which the project has identified and will be addressed in no distant time.
The Commissioners of Agriculture,Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives Dr Barnabas Malle and his Water, Environment and Forest Resources counterpart Mohammed Saidu Mohammed, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Development partner Coordinator Dr Babayo Yakubu Ibrahim among other top government functionaries were in attendance.
The national Coordinator and his team visited Gombe Abattoir and cattle market during the visit.
Joshua Danmalam,
Information Officer, SGS’ office
