Gombe State Government has indicated readiness to commence implementation of the Livestock Production and Resilience Support Project.
The PUNCH reports that the project is a World Bank-funded project aimed at enhancing livestock production through an effective value chain strategy that provides jobs and creates wealth for 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 of 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.
The SGS therefore enjoined the National Coordinator, the National Coordinating Office, and the State Coordinating Office to work in synergy and fast-track the immediate commencement of the project implementation.
In his remarks, 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 for the implementation of the project.
Abubakar said, “The six-year project is expected to among other objectives strengthen 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 the disbursement of funds begins, implementation of the project will start without delay.
Earlier, the State Coordinator, Dr Usman Bello, said when fully implemented, the state stands to profit in the establishment of the modern abattoirs, dairy processing facilities, and Livestock Service Centre, adding that “it will help in tackling environmental challenges in the state and reduce farmer-farmer clashes.”
Bello also explained that the Wawa Zange grazing reserve will also receive massive attention, as the major challenge of the reserve has been the source of steady water supply, which the project has identified and will be addressed in no distant time.
