By Stephen Adeleye.
The Kogi State Government has taken a significant step towards boosting the livestock sector with the launch of a bid opening ceremony for the construction of five Model Slaughter Houses in Kogi State.
The bid opening ceremony for the project was held on Wednesday at the Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (Kogi L-PRES) Project Office in Lokoja.
The Kogi Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Olufemi Bolarin, said the initiative marked another milestone in the state’s efforts to reposition the livestock sector.
He described the construction of the model slaughter houses’ as a critical intervention aimed at improving meat hygiene, ensuring food safety, and enhancing economic opportunities for the livestock farmers and livestock key value chain actors in Kogi State.
Dr Bolarin, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Abdulsalam Hadi, pledged to collaborate with L-PRES Project and other agencies to ensure the successful bidder meets specifications and timelines.
“The construction of the Model Slaughter Houses is not merely an infrastructure project; it is a critical intervention aimed at improving meat hygiene, ensure food safety and security in Kogi State.
“It will also reduce environmental pollution, and align our livestock sector with national and international best practices,” he said.
He commended the Kogi State Coordination Office of L-PRES Project and all stakeholders who had worked tirelessly to bring the project to this stage, and appreciated the interest shown by participating contractors.
In his welcome address, Mr Abdulkabir Onuoroyoiza Otaru, State Project Coordinator (SPC) thanked the contractors for their intentions to work with the Kogi L-PRES Project to deliver the Project Development Objectives (PDO) in Kogi State.
According to him, the Five (5) Model Slaughter Houses which is the first phase of the project will be implemented at: Idah, Idah LGA; Anyigba, Dekina LGA; Inoziomi, Adavi LGA, Okene, Okene LGA and Kabba, Kabba/Bunu LGA in Kogi State.
He also revealed that Kogi L-PRES Project had conducted a successful procurement process and awarded the contract for Rehabilitation of Nine (9) Livestock Markets across the three senatorial districts of the state, while the infrastructure Sub-projects under the Livestock Service Centre (LSC), Osara is at evaluation stage, and many more infrastructures will be coming onboard in the Year 2026 AWPB.
Mr Otaru commended the His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State for his commitment to the L-PRES Project and the overall development of the livestock sector in Kogi State assuring him of the Kogi L-PRES Management team’s continued efforts and collaboration to deliver on his mandates for the livestock sector.
“I thank His Excellency, Governor Alhaji Usman Ododo for his commitment and support for the L-PRES Project. He has ensured timely payment of state Counterpart funding and creating enabling environment for the implementation of the L-PRES Project in Kogi State.
“We pledge our commitment and dedication to enhance his efforts in the livestock sector, advancing his vision for the development of the livestock value chains,” Otaru said.
He also assured the contractor of full compliance to uphold an open and transparent procurement process as usual and the most responsive bid will be awarded the contracts to construct the Five (5) Model Slaughter Houses in Kogi State.
Prof Usman Omeiza, Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria, Kogi branch, lauded the transparent bidding process and urged stakeholders to maintain transparency and accountability throughout the project’s execution.
Mr Hamza Aliyu, Chairperson of Kogi NGO Network (KONGONET), and observer at the event, praised the Kogi L-PRES Project management for conducting a transparent bidding process and encouraged them to maintain this level of transparency.
