World Bank Lauds Governor Mbah’s Commitment to Livestock Sector Development

Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State has been commended for his commitment to ensuring the smooth completion of the regional model veterinary hospital, sited in Enugu.

The World Bank Co-Task Team Leader of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), Dr. Chidozie Anyiro, made this known on Monday during the L-PRES World Bank Technical Mission in Enugu, aimed at strengthening the Enugu State livestock sector under L-PRES.

He stated that Enugu is very fortunate to be chosen among the six states in the federation for the project, owing to the Governor’s commitment to harnessing the livestock potentials of the state for the betterment of its citizens.

He also stated that his team is happy with the level of work ongoing at the site in line with the approved nationwide structural prototype.

“We are here to inspect the ongoing state-of-the-art regional model veterinary hospital,” he said. “This is the first of its kind in the Southeast, and we are pleased with the level of support garnered so far from the state government.”

On the importance of the hospital to livestock farmers in the Southeast region, Dr. Anyiro noted, “The hospital will serve the Southeast very well because I don’t think there is any functional livestock hospital around.”

“We have an approved prototype for the project by the World Bank across the country, and this will serve the Southeast region very well. We will do our best to ensure that the quality of delivery as well as the quality of the equipment is what it should be.”

“It is all about functionality, and I think both the government and the World Bank are committed to seeing the project through,” he added. “Once the quality is there, we will ensure that, all together, it will serve its purpose.”

He also enjoined all livestock farmers in the zone to expect good animal health as well as responsiveness to emerging animal sicknesses.

“South-East livestock farmers should be expecting good animal health and responsiveness to emerging animal sicknesses before they spread across or even to other animals. They should be able to arrest animal diseases, and it will also be a center for livestock vaccination or cold room storage where vaccines can be stored.”

“You know when you address animal disease, you have addressed about 60% of the issues faced by livestock farmers, apart from feeding.”

Also speaking, the Enugu State Project Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), Dr. Ifeyinwa Nnajieze, said they are committed to making the hospital the best in the country.

She applauded the efforts of the state government in ensuring a conducive atmosphere for the workers as well as the infrastructural development ongoing in the area.

Dr. Nnajieze also extolled the state L-PRES team for their commitment to making the project a success in the state.

In his remarks, the Acting Surveyor-General of Enugu State, Surveyor Chime Justus Uchenna, said the hospital, when completed, will be among the best due to the favorable land topography and size.

He stated that Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah is very optimistic about making sure that the project is workable.

He urged all the citizens of Enugu State and the Southeast as a whole to be ready to utilize the opportunities the hospital will present for agricultural revolution.

“I am very happy with what is going on because Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah gave the best land for the project,” he said. “The topography is state-of-the-art, and as a professional, lots of investors have interviewed me and are very interested in making good use of the project.”

“You can see how committed the state government is with the ongoing infrastructural development such as roads, water, and others.”

“This will make accessing the area so easy, and with the commitment of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah towards agriculture, it is destined to be workable,” he added. “It also means that Enugu will be blessed with an abundance of food and other agricultural produce, making us the center of attraction to other states.”

Recall that L-PRES had, on Monday, July 29, 2024, flagged off the regional model veterinary hospital in Enugu, an event which was held at Michael Okpara Square, Independence Layout, Enugu.