The Gombe State Government, in partnership with the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, has officially commenced the construction of a 184-hectare Agro-Livestock Development Zone – a strategic initiative designed to revolutionize the livestock and agricultural sectors in the state.
The groundbreaking ceremony, jointly performed by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, and the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, showcased two flagship projects under L-PRES:
A state-of-the-art Ultramodern Abattoir, awarded to Lubell Nigeria Ltd at a contract sum of ₦7.5 billion, with the capacity to process 500 cattle, 1,000 small ruminants, and 3,000 poultry daily;
An International Livestock Market, featuring veterinary clinics, feed markets, digital livestock trading platforms, and a dedicated livestock radio station.
Speaking at the event, L-PRES State Project Coordinator, Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, emphasized that the facilities will significantly enhance hygienic meat processing, streamline livestock trade logistics, and generate employment across the livestock value chain.
Describing the zone as a “game-changer,” the Minister lauded the project as being fully aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and praised Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s leadership as a model worthy of emulation.
Also present at the event, the National President of MACBAN and the Emir of Gombe, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, CFR, applauded the Governor for his inclusive vision and sustained investment in the livestock sector.
Governor Yahaya further announced a ₦50 billion water canalization project from River Gongola to the Wawa-Zange Grazing Reserve, aimed at supporting over one million pastoralists. He also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the ₦120 billion federal support towards agriculture.
