By Segun Adewale in Gombe
The World Bank has commended the Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON for innovative drive and remarkable achievements in transforming nd modernizing livestock value chains in the state.
The Regional Director of the World Bank, Mr. Chakib Jenane, gave the commendation in Gombe Weekend after led his delegation on a tour of key L-PRES facilities and project sites as part of their two-day visit to the state.
Mr Jenane expressed delight over the level of progress recorded in the state, noting that the outcomes demonstrate strong commitment and effective implementation.
“We have seen concrete results in the projects executed. We have witnessed efforts to improve commercialization and the use of technology to enhance productivity and resilience through artificial insemination and breed multiplication initiatives. We are really impressed with what we have seen,” he stated.
He applauded the breed improvement initiatives under the Gombe L-PRES Project, praising the political will and leadership of Governor Inuwa Yahaya in supporting and sustaining World Bank–assisted interventions across the state.
Speaking during the visit, the Commissioner for Water, Environment and Forest Resources, Muhammad Saidu Fawu, thanked the World Bank for its numerous interventions in Gombe State, describing the institution as a dependable partner in progress.
Hon Fawu commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his commitment, vision and support, which have enabled the successful execution of development projects across multiple sectors.
“Governor Inuwa is a development-minded leader who is committed to improving the lives of his people. This is why he consistently supports collaborations with development partners like the World Bank. He is also working to establish institutional frameworks that will sustain these interventions,” the Commissioner noted.
Earlier at Tukulma Beto, the World Bank delegation witnessed an ongoing artificial insemination exercise, where local cows were inseminated with exotic semen imported from Brazil to enhance dairy productivity, promote commercialization and uplift the livestock value chain.
The team also observed a practical ultrasound scan session used to monitor gestating cows and ensure healthy calving.
The State Coordinator of Gombe L-PRES, Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, revealed that the project has inseminated about 2,200 local cows, most of which are due to calf.
According to him, the expected crossbreeds will be able to produce between 20-40 litres of milk daily, compared to the 2-3 litres typical of indigenous breeds.
He added that the project has so far established 55 milk collection centres across the state, from where raw milk will be aggregated and transported to a planned milk processing facility to be established in the state capital in partnership with private investors.
The Coordinator further disclosed that Gombe L-PRES has broken a national record as the first state to implement large-scale artificial insemination under the project, achieving an unprecedented 79.1% conception rate-the highest ever recorded in the country.
He also highlighted major achievements in preventing farmer-herder conflicts through the re-demarcation and remapping of eight grazing reserves and 37 stock routes.
“This has significantly reduced clashes and improved pasture availability while preventing encroachment. The new mapping system even allows remote monitoring of any attempts to tamper with established boundaries,” he explained.
Prof. Abubakar noted that the project has also invested in developing the Wawa-Zange Grazing Reserve, including the construction of earth dams, fodder banks and milk collection points to boost productivity and support commercialisation.
The delegation later visited the Livestock Market at Tashan Dukku, where they were taken around the market’s operational areas. Prof. Abubakar explained that the state government, through L-PRES, is working to relocate and modernise the market to ensure more hygienic, efficient and profitable operations.
The team also inspected the newly established Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory – the first of its kind in Gombe State- equipped to conduct various tests for accurate animal disease diagnosis, thereby improving animal health, productivity and the prevention of zoonotic diseases.
They further toured the cold chain facility used for vaccine storage, manned by staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives.
The World Bank Team comprised of: Marina Wes, Director of Strategy and Operations; Abel Lufafa, Practice Manager for Agriculture; Anna Cestari, Practice Manager for Water; Mr. Emmanuel Sene, L-PRES Task Team Leader (TTL); Mrs. Joy Agene, ACReSAL TTL; and Awa Diagne, SURWASH TTL.
Other personalities who accompanied the delegation are: Dr. Sani Adamu Jauro, ACReSAL State Project Coordinator; Engr. Aliyu Usman, SURWASH State Coordinator; among other officials.
