Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has restated his strong commitment to growing Gombe State’s livestock sector to support the economy, create jobs, and improve food security.
The Governor made this known while hosting Malam Sanusi Abubakar, the National Project Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, during a two-day working visit to the state.
Governor Yahaya praised L-PRES as an important partner, especially for approving a modern veterinary hospital in Gombe. He said the new hospital will help his administration’s plan to transform animal farming in the state.
In his remarks, Malam Sanusi Abubakar praised the Governor for his leadership and vision, especially for establishing the 184-hectare Agro-Livestock Development Zone, which he described as a future hub for agribusiness and animal health in Nigeria.
He also commended the ongoing work to revive the 144,000-hectare Wawa-Zange Grazing Reserve, saying it will reduce nomadic movements and solve problems related to herder-farmer conflicts.
“Governor Inuwa’s administration has done well by providing water to Wawa-Zange, solving a major problem that stopped livestock productivity for many years,” Malam Sanusi said.
He added that L-PRES is ready to support Gombe with more feedlots, milk collection centres, access roads, and other important structures to improve livestock farming.
Gombe is also one of only four states chosen to pilot the Private Veterinary Practice (PVP) Programme, which shows how committed the state is to improving animal health.
The new veterinary hospital will support the Ultramodern Abattoir and International Livestock Market, and will help in research, disease control, and animal health across the region.
Malam Sanusi also called on Governor Yahaya, who is the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, to help other northern states work with L-PRES in growing the livestock industry across the north.
Earlier, while inspecting the construction of the Gombe ultra modern abattoir, the National Coordinator said he was happy with the work progress and praised the contractor for their dedication.