…As L-PRES Hands Over Two Additional Farmer Schools, Veterinary Hospital for Rehabilitation

 

The Gombe State Government, through the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, has sustained its commitment to revitalising the livestock sector with the handover of additional facilities for rehabilitation, construction and upgrade across the state.

 

The latest interventions include two Farmer Field Schools located at Ladongor in Billiri Local Government Area and Wajari in Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area, as well as a veterinary hospital in Talasse, Balanga Local Government Area.

 

The intervention follows a similar exercise last week in which the L-PRES Project handed over three veterinary hospitals in Nafada, Bajoga and Tongo, alongside a Farmer Field School in Kupto, for rehabilitation and upgrade. The initiative is aimed at strengthening livestock institutions and enhancing productivity across the sector.

 

Speaking during the site handover in Billiri, the State Project Coordinator of Gombe L-PRES, Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, said the projects reflect the deliberate and strategic investments of the Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya-led administration towards rebuilding the livestock sector.

 

He noted that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to revive a once-neglected sector which remains a critical pillar of the Northern Nigerian economy and a major source of livelihood for millions of people.

 

Responding, the Chairperson of Billiri Local Government Area, Hon. Egla Idris, expressed appreciation to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his consistent support and development interventions in the area.

She said the people of Billiri remain deeply grateful to the Governor, noting that his administration has continued to prioritise their welfare and development needs.

 

“Our one and singular message to His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, is that we are indebted to him. He has done so much and continues to do more for us. We also thank L-PRES for facilitating the vision of His Excellency towards developing our livestock sector,” she stated.

 

Hon. Egla also commended the decision to award the contract to an indigene of Billiri, describing it as an additional gesture that would boost local participation and economic empowerment within the community.

 

In Yamaltu Deba, the State Project Coordinator explained that the rehabilitation of the existing Farmer Field School in Wajari would reposition the facility as a centre for training farmers on modern livestock husbandry practices aimed at improving productivity and profitability.

 

“It is only through modern husbandry practices, such as those being promoted by L-PRES, that food sustainability can be achieved. Livestock farming is no longer just a tradition; it is a business that supports livelihoods and drives economic growth, and that is the philosophy behind our interventions,” Professor Abubakar said.

 

In his remarks, the Chairman of Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area, Hon. Abubakar Hassan Difa, described the intervention as timely, well-thought-out and critical to the overall development of the LGA.

“We thank His Excellency for all that he has been doing for us, and we equally appreciate L-PRES for facilitating this important development,” he said.

 

Hon. Difa recalled other L-PRES-supported interventions in the area, including the construction of live bird markets in Kwadon and Kuri, as well as the installation of several solar-powered boreholes at strategic locations to support livestock and farming communities.

 

The State Project Coordinator further charged contractors handling the projects to ensure strict adherence to specifications, quality standards and timelines, stressing that the project would not tolerate substandard work or violation of contract terms.

 

In their separate remarks, the contractors – Abdu Garba (Billiri), Dan Hajiya (Yamaltu Deba), and Muhammad Sajo (Talasse) – thanked Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for the confidence reposed in them and assured that the projects would be delivered on schedule and in line with contractual requirements.

 

At Talasse, Professor Abubakar announced the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Talasse Veterinary Hospital, noting that upon completion, the facility would provide improved veterinary services, including animal treatment and minor surgical procedures.

Responding on behalf of the Balanga Local Government Chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Salihu, the Secretary of the LGA commended the foresight of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and his commitment to improving livelihoods at the grassroots level.

 

He also praised the L-PRES Project for championing livestock transformation and modernisation in Gombe State, stressing that such investments would significantly support farmers and strengthen livestock production as a business.

 

The latest phase of infrastructure renewal forms part of sustained interventions by the Gombe State Government through the L-PRES Project to standardise and upgrade livestock infrastructure, with the aim of building a more profitable, resilient and sustainable livestock sector.

 

So far, dozens of livestock hospitals and clinics, abattoirs and slaughter slabs, livestock and live bird markets, veterinary diagnostic laboratories, cold chain facilities, and other critical infrastructure have been constructed or rehabilitated across the state.