Gombe State Livestock Productivity And Resilience Support Project [L-PRES] team led by its Project Coordinator Professor Usman Bello Abubakar has paid an advocacy visit and participated in an expanded Stakeholders Engagement meeting on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution in Bajoga the headquarters of Funakaye local government.

 

Speaking to stakeholders comprising local government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders and representatives of security agencies at funakaye local government secretariat conference hall, the Project Coordinator said the purpose of the visit is to facilitate dialogue, build understanding and promote collaborative solutions for sustainable peace and conflict resolutions.

 

Professor Abubakar said, the visit is in line with the mandate of the project to promote peaceful co-existence between farmers and herders in the state following some reported clashes recently in some local governments areas and urged stakeholders to intensify efforts towards achieving peace which he described as essential for any development to take place.

 

The Coordinator said, the L-PRES Project accords top priority to security and commended the efforts of funakaye local government Chairman Alhaji AbdulRahman Shuaibu Adam, The Emir of Funakaye HRH Alhaji Yakubu Muhammadu Kwairanga [1V], security agencies and other stakeholders for their contributions in promoting peace and understanding in the area.

 

Professor Abubakar described the coming of the L-PRES Project to Gombe State as a strategic vision of Governor Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa administration to revitalize the rich but neglected livestock sector by turning it into a huge income generating hub for livestock farmers and value chain actors and called on the people of funakaye to leverage on the opportunities provided by the project,

 

He said the strategic location of funakaye local government area sharing common boundary with Wawa Zange Grazing Reserve and other LGA’s has prompted the state government to work work tirelessly towards rehabilitating the Wawa Zange Grazing Reserve to become fully operational considering its potentials to economic growth.

 

He hinted that plans have reached advanced stage for reticulation of water from the Kupto river to the grazing reserve which when completed will provide livestock farmers enormous grazing land, water for their livestock and opportunities for irrigation farming to boost both livestock production and agriculture, a development he hinted will reduce uncontrolled movement of livestock in to farmlands which has been responsible for most of the conflicts.

He also cited the on going re-survey and re -demarcation of cattle routes and grazing reserves as another viable solution towards ending the protracted farmers and herders conflicts.

 

He explained that the overall vision of the state government under the L-PRES Project is to revamp the entire livestock sector into a modern industry by introducing innovation and technology including artificial insemination to maximize yields, beef and milk production as well as profits and called on the stakeholders particularly community leaders to support the project by ensuring improved community relations.

 

The Project Coordinator said the presence of traditional rulers and security agencies at the event signifies the support given by the local government which he said has further underscored the commitment of funakaye local towards the success of project in the area.

 

He urged them to use the Grievance Redress Committee [GRC] introduced by the L-PRES Project and expand it where necessary to accommodate all stakeholders in addressing community issues and challenges related to the Project.

 

Dropping a hint on plans to construct an Ultra Modern Abattoir, the Project Coordinator said the State Government under the Project has advertised for the construction of the new abattoir along Bajoga road which he said will contain state of the art facilities for modern beef processing including tannery for skin and leather production.

 

In his remark, the Chairman Funakaye local government Alhaji Abdulrahman Shuaibu Adam expressed appreciation to Gombe State Governor Alhaji Muhammadu Innuwa Yahaya and the L-PRES Project for citing several interventions in their community.

 

He noted that, there had been conflicts between farmers and herders but will the help of committees established by the state government and the one inaugurated by L-PRES such efforts have gone along way in promoting peace and understanding in the area and pledged to maintain the tempo.

 

In a vote of thanks on behalf on community leaders, the Emir of Funakaye HRH Alhaji Yakubu Muhammad Kwairanga [1V] commended the State Governor Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya in his efforts to revitalize the livestock sector.

 

He assured the L-PRES Coordinator and security agencies of their continued support at all times by regularly engaging stakeholders towards achieving lasting peace and successful implementation of the L-PRES Project in the local government.

 

The event was attended by local government officials, led the chairman Honorable Abdulrahman Shuaibu Adam, The Emir of Funakaye HRH. Alhaji Yakubu Muhammadu Kwairanga [1V], Senior District Heads, Village and Ward Heads and Security Personnel among others