In its efforts to ensure sustainable livestock business and quality meat production for both local and international markets, Gombe State Government under the L-PRES project has established a disease surveillance laboratory and a cold chain facility to ensure healthy animals for quality beef production in conformity with international best standards.

 

Speaking at the inspection and handing over of the two facilities to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives at Gombe Veterinary Clinic Tashan Dukku cattle market, the

Commissioner of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas Malle said, the development is to fulfill the requirements needed for the transformation of the livestock sector and open up for Private Public Partnership partnership (PPP) in order to build a robust livestock industry in the state.

 

Dr Barnabas Malle said, the establishment of these facilities further underscored the resolve of the state government to revitalize the sector in preparation to build an International Cattle Market and ultra modern Abattoir through the L-PRES project with support from the World Bank.

He explained that when the International Cattle Market and the Ultra Modern Abattoir projects are eventually completed they will reposition the state economy towards enhanced revenue generation and job creation for women and youth in Gombe State.

 

He assured them of Governor Muhammadu InuwaYahaya’s commitment to support the L-PRES Project which explained his recent visit to Morocco along with Project Coordinator Professor Usman Bello to under study their success stories and replicate some of this achievements in Gombe State.

Earlier in his remarks the Coordinator Gombe L-PRES Professor U.B. Abubakar expressed appreciation to the contractors that handled the projects for a job well done describing the facilities as important milestones in the journey towards transforming the livestock sector.

 

The Project Coordinator hinted that the establishment of the disease surveillance and diagnostic center and the cold room will go along way in curbing the spread of livestock diseases thereby minimizing loss and improving animal health in the state.

 

The facilities are equipped with modern technologies including microscopes, centrifuge and auto clave machines, incubators and solar powered cold rooms for storage of vaccines among others.

 

He assured livestock farmers that these innovations are not meant to displace them from their business but to enhance it through modernisation for more productivity and profits