Enugu State Government and the leadership of Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) have been commended for their commitment to ensuring a smooth and fast execution of the modern integrated Livestock Development Centre.
This was made known to newsmen on Monday in Enugu, during the midterm review (MTR) mission organised by the Enugu State chapter of L-PRES as part of its way of monitoring and evaluating the quality and efficiency of works being done by L-PRES across the state.
Speaking during the visit to the project center in Ubahu-Amankanu, located in Nkanu East Local Government Area, the Hon Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Muktar Maiha, who was represented by the Director of Livestock, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Adeniyi Adedoyin, said he is happy with the level of work done at the site and stated that the ministry is committed to ensuring that the 15,000-capacity ranching facility, which is part of the Integrated Livestock Development Centre, is given timely completion.
He posited that the M- ranging system was designed to boost food security, provide modern livestock services, and make Enugu a livestock hub in Africa, an idea he said the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, in partnership with L-PRES, is working very hard to accomplish. Dr. Adedoyin also raised concerns about the security of the area, as well as the importance of beacon demarcation at the site, as they are part of notable causes of any likely delay at the project site.
According to him, “Security around this project must be taken very seriously because any breach can slow down the pace of work. We need constant cooperation from the host communities and security agencies to safeguard lives, equipment, and personnel. Clear boundary marking is also very important to avoid land disputes that may arise in the future. When the land is properly defined, it gives confidence to investors and workers on site. We must act early on these matters to avoid interruptions. This project carries great value for food supply, job creation, and economic growth in this region.”
In his address, the Managing Director (MD) of American West African Agro Limited, Jerry Cunningham, commended the efforts of the state Government and L-PRES in ensuring that the work is delivered within the next 18 months, stating that his company has done most of the background engineering work, including site mapping, structural layout, soil assessment, and basic infrastructure planning, which will support smooth execution and help contractors move faster while maintaining quality standards across all stages of the project.
On his part, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agribusiness Enugu State, Dr. Patrick Ubru, who was represented by a Deputy Director, Mr. Udeozo Nc, said the project is part of the state government’s plan to improve livestock production and create jobs for the people. He explained that when completed, it will help farmers move from old methods to modern systems that give better results, adding that the government is providing support through policy, land access, and community engagement to avoid setbacks. Mr. Udeozo also stated that efforts are ongoing to improve access roads and basic facilities around the site, with the aim of making the centre a strong base for livestock business and food supply within the next few months when the job is completed.
In his remarks, the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, who was represented by the National Animal Husbandry Specialist of L-PRES, Dr. Ugwu Gabriel, called on all stakeholders to join hands in tackling some issues that bring about delays in the project execution, expressing hope that it will be finished before the given timeline.
Also, the State Project Coordinator (SPC) of L-PRES in Enugu, Dr. Ifenyinwa Nnajieze, said the programme is focused on improving the livelihood of livestock farmers through better services and support systems. She stated that regular supervision and monitoring are being carried out to ensure quality work at every stage, and also opined that host communities are being engaged to remain part of the process, noting that the project will help reduce losses, improve animal health, and increase farmers’ income across the state.
Moreso, the World Bank representative, Mrs. Nneka Nzekwe, stated that the MTR provides an opportunity to carry out a comprehensive review of project implementation progress so far and identify areas requiring attention and adjustments where necessary, adding that the plan is to measure the impact, assess all strategies and restrategise as needed as the project moves through its second phase to closure. She also encouraged the state to continue to follow the provisions of the project and intervention components as stated in the project appraisal document and project implementation manual.
However, the National Internal Auditor of L-PRES, Mr. Paul Eze, among others, including the L-PRES team from Ebonyi, who were part of the monitoring and evaluation team, also spoke on the project as well as their observations, in line with what is obtainable in their various states.
