The Emir of Gombe, Dr Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, has commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration for investing in livestock development and economic infrastructure.
The Emir said the projects had the potential to position Gombe as a major livestock and agribusiness hub while creating jobs, increasing incomes and improving livelihoods.
The monarch spoke during an inspection tour of key projects being implemented under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support, L-PRES, Project.
Abubakar inspected the Gombe Agro-Livestock Development Zone, including the ultramodern abattoir, international livestock, grains and timber markets, as well as the inland dry port.
The Emir described the integrated markets as a timely response to population growth and changing economic realities, recalling that Gombe’s grains market had existed for about 100 years.
He noted that while the traditional market had served generations, the expansion of economic activities required modern, purpose-built facilities.
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The monarch also praised the ultramodern abattoir, saying local processing would reduce losses associated with transporting live animals to distant markets and enable Gombe to retain more value from its livestock resources.
Abubakar observed that the combination of livestock, grains, timber and dry-port facilities would strengthen commerce, processing, trade and export opportunities.
The Emir expressed particular excitement over the proposed dairy development programme, comprising milk collection centres, artificial insemination and a dairy processing factory around the Game Axis, along the Kwami-Funakaye border.
“I am the happiest person with these developments for having all these in Gombe State in our time,” Abubakar said.
He also inspected the proposed Artificial Insemination and Breed Multiplication Centre at Gombe State University, where he received a briefing on efforts to improve livestock genetics and productivity.
The Emir commended Governor Yahaya and the Gombe L-PRES team for what he described as “gigantic developments”, expressing optimism that the investments would contribute to economic growth and improved living standards.
The State Project Coordinator of Gombe L-PRES, Prof Usman Bello Abubakar, thanked the Emir for the visit and endorsement of the interventions.
Prof Abubakar said the progress recorded in the livestock sector reflected Governor Yahaya’s commitment to making agriculture and livestock major drivers of economic development.
He explained that the projects formed part of an integrated livestock value chain covering breeding, production, milk collection, processing, marketing and export.
