By Khalid Idris Doya
The Bauchi state government, under the leadership of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has described the achievements recorded by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project in the state as exceptional and highly commendable.
The state Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Bala Musa Lukshi, made the remarks while chairing the State Steering Committee meeting held at the project's conference hall yesterday.
Dr. Lukshi, who also serves as chairman of the committee, said the project's impressive performance within a short period has rekindled hope and strengthened the confidence of the state government in its implementation.
He explained that the meeting was convened to review project implementation, assess progress, address emerging issues, improve performance, and identify strategies for overcoming challenges.
Speaking during the meeting, the permanent secretary of the ministry of Livestock Development and secretary of the committee, Alhaji Jibrin Yusuf Mohammed Panti, stated that the project management has been implementing activities in strict compliance with the revised work plan and budget approved by the State Technical Committee and endorsed by the World Bank.
Earlier, the State Project Coordinator, Dr. Musa Adamu One, presented an update on the project's implementation, highlighting key milestones, completed activities, ongoing interventions, and projects scheduled to commence soon.
Dr. Musa expressed appreciation to Governor Bala Mohammed for the warm reception accorded to the World Bank Co-Task Team Leader, Dr. Chidozie Onyedikachi Anyiro, and his delegation during their recent implementation support mission to Bauchi State.
According to him, the World Bank team commended the remarkable progress achieved by the project within a relatively short period.
He disclosed that completed interventions include the construction of 15 slaughterhouses, veterinary clinics, boreholes for livestock watering, and the training of beneficiaries and stakeholders.
The coordinator added that ongoing projects include the construction of an Artificial Insemination Centre and a Farmer Field School at the College of Agriculture, Bauchi, establishment of milk collection centres across the state, and the upgrading of livestock markets in selected local government areas.
Members of the Steering Committee, including the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Alhaji Hashimu, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Iliyasu Gital, and other stakeholders, commended the project's achievements and applauded the leadership of the State Project Coordinator and his team for delivering impressive results.
The committee, however, identified several challenges affecting implementation, including delays in approvals for some activities, late release of counterpart funding, procurement bottlenecks, the need for stronger stakeholder collaboration, and capacity gaps among Project Implementation Units (PIUs) and beneficiaries.
Members pledged their support to address the challenges and ensure the successful execution of the project.
According to a press statement issued by the communication officer of the Bauchi State L-PRES Project, Mohammed Abdul, the committee chairman thanked members for their valuable contributions and reaffirmed the committee's commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the project across the state.
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