…Gombe L-PRES Coordinator, Hands Over Sites to Contractors

The Gombe State Government, through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, has commenced the renovation and revitalisation of key livestock infrastructure across the state to strengthen animal health services and boost productivity in the livestock sector.

The intervention covers the upgrade of veterinary clinics in Nafada, Bajoga and Togo, as well as the rehabilitation of the Farmer Field School in Kupto, Funakaye Local Government Area.

Handing over the construction and renovation sites to contractors, the State Project Coordinator of Gombe L-PRES, Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, reaffirmed the commitment of the Gombe State Government under the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to repositioning livestock as a productive and economically viable sector.

Professor Abubakar explained that livestock remains the backbone of the economy of Northern Nigeria and a critical livelihood support system for a large segment of the population, stressing that the present administration has adopted deliberate and strategic interventions to modernise the sector.

According to him, the renovation of the Nafada Veterinary Clinic and other facilities across the state is part of a broader plan to strengthen livestock institutions in line with the objectives of L-PRES, which align perfectly with the vision of Governor Inuwa Yahaya.

He expressed concern over the continued reliance on archaic and outdated practices in animal husbandry, describing them as unproductive and no longer tenable in a modern economy.

“Livestock production has been relegated to cultural and historical life, not a productive business. This is not what is obtainable in developed countries. Hence, the need for total modernisation of this important sector,” he said.

Professor Abubakar noted that, as Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor Inuwa Yahaya is leading by example by prioritising livestock development, adding that the state government and L-PRES are working round the clock to expose local farmers to modern livestock production techniques.

He listed ongoing interventions to include artificial insemination initiatives, improved breed selection, pasture development, construction of a state-of-the-art International Livestock Market, an ultramodern abattoir, and other facilities such as a tannery and leather factory aimed at modernising animal production and processing.

He explained that the renovation of veterinary facilities across the state is part of the larger livestock modernisation agenda, which will help reduce risks, minimise economic losses and prevent the leakage of economic value.

In the dairy sub-sector, the Project Coordinator disclosed that the government, through L-PRES, has established 55 cooperative societies and milk collection centres, with plans underway to establish a milk processing factory in Gombe State, a move expected to generate employment and stimulate economic growth.

Speaking during the event, the Chairman of Nafada Local Government Area, Hon. Babangida Adamu Jigawa, commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his foresight in investing in critical sectors capable of driving economic growth and development.

He said the renovation of the Nafada Veterinary Clinic would open new opportunities for the people, enhance hygiene standards, improve animal health services and boost productivity within the livestock sector and beyond.

“We thank Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and L-PRES for bringing this development to our people and for choosing our own to execute the project. We promise to carry out our supervisory role to ensure the work is delivered according to the terms of the contract,” he assured.

At Bajoga, the L-PRES delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Funakaye Local Government Area, Alhaji Shu’aibu Abdulrahman Adamu, to brief him on the scope of the projects, including the renovation of the Bajoga and Togo Veterinary Clinics as well as the Farmer Field School in Kupto.

Responding, the Funakaye LGA Chairman expressed appreciation to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for extending development projects to the area, while also commending Professor Abubakar, an indigene of Funakaye, for his role in supporting the Governor’s development agenda.

He assured that the local authority and the people of Funakaye would provide all necessary support to ensure the successful execution of the projects, while praising the decision to award the contracts to local contractors.

In Kupto, Professor U. B. Abubakar handed over the site for the renovation of the Farmer Field School to Malam Ya’u Muhammad Kupto, charging him to ensure quality workmanship and timely completion of the project.

In their separate remarks, the contractors handling the projects – Isa Baba Galadima (Galadiman Jigawa) for the Nafada Veterinary Clinic, Musa A. Buba for the Bajoga and Togo Veterinary Clinics, and Ya’u Muhammad for the Kupto Farmer Field School – expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in them by the state government and L-PRES.

They collectively assured that all projects would be executed in strict compliance with specifications and delivered within the agreed timelines, in line with the terms and conditions of the contract agreements.