Abakaliki, Nigeria – The Ebonyi State Government says it will launch an integrated ranch for the implementation of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L–press) programme in the state.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs Nkechinyere Iyioku, made the disclosure in Abakaliki during the visit of the programme’s implementation support mission to the state.
Iyioku said the ranch, expected to be launched before the team’s next visit in July, will signal full implementation of the programme in the state.
“We have secured a site for the project and its design and funding are ready.
“Everyone will be happy with the flag-off, of this signature–project in the state.”
The commissioner noted that the mission’s recommendations would be implemented to ensure that Ebonyi becomes the best implementing state in the country.
“They recommended the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to ensure sustainability when we are no longer in office.
“We are grateful to Gov. Francis Nwifuru for his support to the programme and overall commitment towards agricultural development in the state.”
The Leader of the Implementation Support Mission, Mr Wasiu Adeoye, said the mission comprises officials from the programme’s National Coordinating Office, World Bank and the Development Bank of Nigeria, among others.
“We are in Ebonyi to review progress of the state L-Press office, ascertain the level of teamwork and challenges being encountered.
“We would appropriately examine and digest issues discovered during this visit.”
Adeoye, however, commended the Ebonyi office for its tenacity despite the ‘teething challenges” they encountered.
“The challenges are because Ebonyi is one of the last batches of the implementing states in the country and such cannot be ruled out.
“They are undergoing a learning process as their duties are technical and not what one was taught in school.
“We have, however, designed frameworks to guide and offer them physical footing for efficient service delivery.”
Mr Victor Nwite, the State Programme Co-ordinator of L-Press, said that valuable lessons learnt from the visit would be translated into positive use.
