Mutfwang Vows To Turn Plateau Into Nigeria’s Livestock Powerhouse As Abattoir Project Breaks Ground

Blessing Bello, Reporting

PLATEAU State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has declared his unwavering determination to transform the state into a leading player in Nigeria’s livestock economic production drive.

Speaking on Monday during the groundbreaking ceremony for an ultra-modern abattoir market in Heipang, Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area, Governor Mutfwang underscored the significance of the livestock subsector in boosting revenue generation and creating employment opportunities.

The governor announced that the ultra-modern abattoir, which has the capacity to slaughter some 500 cattle daily, is expected to be completed within one year.

“Today is more than a mere laying of a foundation; it is the breaking forth of a new economic future for Plateau State,” Mr Mutfwang said. “We are breaking the barriers of unemployment, underdevelopment and poverty.”

The governor expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Livestock Development, the World Bank, and other development partners for their continued and unflinching support.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the establishment of the ultra-modern abattoir by the Plateau State Government represented a strategic investment, noting that the facility is located close to the Yakubu Gowon Airport and a dry inland port.

Mr Maiha confirmed that Nigeria’s livestock subsector contributes significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), hence the need to fully embrace its economic value chain.

The National Project Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES), Dr Sanusi Abubakar, expressed optimism that the initiative would go a long way in addressing economic hardship, enhancing food security and creating jobs.

The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Veterinary Services and Fisheries, Dr Sunday Akpa, admitted that the project stands as a testament to a new economic foundation for the prosperity of Plateau State.