The Enugu State Government has reiterated its commitment to livestock development and other agribusinesses.
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The Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Businesses, Dr. Patrick Nwabueze Uburu, made this known on Thursday during an interactive meeting with the state leadership of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES),the stakeholders, members of the press, as well as the Steering and Technical Committees.
He stated that the administration of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah established the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) to boost livestock production in Enugu State.
He also explained that the Governor’s interest in livestock development is to diversify the state’s economy, increase its GDP, and ensure adequate production for local consumption and supply to other states.
Dr. Uburu emphasized the need for the State L-PRES Steering Committee to work in line with the vision of the Governor, noting that their role is largely an oversight function on the activities of the state government in livestock development and other agribusinesses.
According to him, the committee members are to serve as the eyes of the state government. He noted that the Governor is committed to delivering projects without delays or excuses. He added that their duties include, but are not limited to, review and approval of annual work plans, review of state technical and financial reports, ensuring that the L-PRES project aligns with sector policies for timely delivery, and ensuring coordination between the project and other development programmes and stakeholders.
On the Technical Committee, Dr. Uburu outlined their responsibilities, which include monitoring project implementation and developing a framework to guide their duties, among others.
The Commissioner further stated that for the committees to achieve their objectives, there must be a high level of teamwork and commitment to duty.
He also disclosed that the Steering Committee will meet every six months, while the Technical Committee will meet monthly starting from January 2026 to review activities, progress, and other related issues.
In her address, the State Project Coordinator, L-PRES Enugu State, Dr. Ifeyinwa Nnajieze, informed the committees that the project has recorded several activities with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture.
She stated that the project is currently focused on the Integrated Farm Project flagged off by the Governor at Ubahu–Amankanu, where three construction companies that met the required standards have been awarded various contracts.
She emphasized that L-PRES is a World Bank project and that its rules and procedures must be strictly adhered to by all parties.
She noted that work is ongoing at the Ubahu–Amankanu site, where three companies are handling different components of the project. Waste Management and Environmental Solutions Ltd will handle the 15-hectare waste management structure, as well as the proposed Artificial Insemination and Breed Multiplication Centre. American West African Agro Ltd will handle the climate-smart irrigation and pasture planting, while WM Agro Ltd will handle the milking parlour and modern dairy processing plant.
Dr. Nnajieze stated that all the companies have been mobilised and are expected to deliver visible progress on site within the next four months. She added that the project has a contract duration of 16 months, after which it will be commissioned, similar to the Model Veterinary Hospital in Akwuke.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Mike Ogbuekwe, assured the committees of his support for the progress of the project.
He also requested detailed information on the project and the supervisory roles of the committees.