The Taraba State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has officially commenced the procurement phase for a series of major infrastructural upgrades to transform livestock production across the state. 

The launch took place during a competitive bid opening ceremony in Jalingo, marking the rollout of multiple World Bank-supported initiatives designed to modernise traditional animal husbandry and boost rural livelihoods.

The infrastructure pipeline focuses on improving climate resilience, resolving resource access constraints, and enhancing the socio-economic welfare of pastoralist communities. 

Details of the engineering projects were disclosed by the State Project Coordinator, Mr Hananiah Albert, who was represented at the Jalingo session by the project’s ICT and Communications Officer, Mr Ezra Artimas. The civil works are specifically engineered to upgrade rural water distribution systems whilst integrating environmental sustainability standards into the state’s expanding agricultural sector.

The primary component of the procurement drive includes the construction of seven solar-powered boreholes equipped with modern ancillary facilities across seven designated grazing reserves. 

Additionally, the project will fund the development of three distinct water-harvesting infrastructure units inside vulnerable pastoralist settlements to combat seasonal scarcities. 

Managing organic residues and environmental impact, the project framework has also provided for the establishment of comprehensive waste management systems across various livestock clusters.

The multi-million naira intervention includes the direct technical upgrade of local feed mills, the complete rehabilitation of existing model poultry farms, and the construction of specialised protective pens for sheep and goats. 

Assuring participants and international development partners of strict procedural equity, the L-PRES management stressed that the evaluation phase will be executed in complete alignment with international best practices. 

The Director of the State Livestock Development Commission, Mr Buhari Dame, also affirmed that the panel will provide a transparent and level playing field to guarantee quality project delivery.

Source: Vanguard News
Image Credit: The Guardian News