Taraba State is set to witness a major boost in its livestock sector as the National Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, says key livestock development projects in the state are being prepared for commissioning in November 2026.
Abubakar disclosed this on Tuesday while leading a delegation from the L-PRES national office on an inspection tour of selected project sites across the state.
He said the monitoring exercise was undertaken at the instance of the World Bank as part of preparations for the proposed visit of the Minister of Livestock Development to Taraba State.
According to him, the minister is expected to visit the state in November to commission some of the key livestock development projects being implemented under the L-PRES programme.
The national coordinator commended the Taraba State Government and people of the state for creating an enabling environment for the successful implementation of livestock development interventions.
He described the inspection as an important step towards ensuring that the projects were completed and delivered in line with the objectives of L-PRES and the expectations of its development partners.
The inspection team visited several facilities, including the Livestock Service Centre in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area, the modern abattoir and the Veterinary Hospital.
Abubakar expressed optimism that the completion and commissioning of the facilities would represent a significant turning point for the livestock industry in Taraba.
He said the projects were expected to increase livestock production, strengthen veterinary services and expand the support available to farmers and livestock owners across the state.
He also commended the commitment of the Taraba State Government to interventions aimed at strengthening the livestock value chain and improving the livelihoods of people whose economic activities depend on livestock.
Speaking during the inspection, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prof. Nicholas Oliver Namessan, praised Governor Agbu Kefas for giving the livestock sector the attention and support required to unlock its economic potential.
Namessan assured the L-PRES national team that the state government would continue to support the successful implementation and completion of the projects.
He said the partnership between the Taraba State Government and L-PRES would contribute to sustainable livestock production, strengthen food security and improve the economic wellbeing of livestock-dependent communities.
The commissioner noted that improved livestock infrastructure would not only benefit farmers but could also create opportunities across the wider livestock value chain, including processing, marketing and veterinary services.
Also speaking, the Taraba State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Mr. Hananiah G. Albert, expressed appreciation to the national office and the state government for their continued support to the project.
Albert appealed to communities hosting L-PRES projects to maintain their cooperation with the state government, L-PRES and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
He stressed that the cooperation of beneficiary communities remained critical to the successful completion, protection and long-term sustainability of the projects.
He added that the inspection tour would strengthen preparations for the planned November commissioning and help ensure that the facilities were delivered according to the objectives of L-PRES and its development partners.
The planned commissioning is expected to deepen investment in Taraba’s livestock sector, improve access to modern livestock services and position the state to derive greater economic benefits from its agricultural and livestock potential.