Nwifuru revives 60-year-old abandoned veterinary facility in Ebonyi

From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has revived a 60-year-old abandoned veterinary facility, Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), Izhiangbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area in the state.

He said the facility has been  reconstructed to address contemporary veterinary education, health, and agricultural needs of the state, in particular, and the nation in general.

The governor, who stated this after inspecting the project, announced his administration’s intention to create jobs and expand the growth in the economy, adding that the facility will provide 2,000 jobs when completed. He explained that the facility occupies 295 acres, housing veterinary college, modern abattoirs, hospital, grazing reserves with 2, 000 herding capacity, farming enclaves for piggery, grass cutters, and other ruminants.

Nwifuru said the contracts for the constructions of 27 out of the proposed 86 buildings for administrative purposes, hostels for students, staff quarters, and lecture theatres have all been awarded and constructions are in progress.

“We have 295 hectares of land here. We are going to build about 27 buildings in the first instance. The contract for the construction of the 27 buildings have all been awarded”.

He further noted that some sections of the project, especially the access roads, were stalled, given the rainy period, but would commence in a few months.

“We have agreed that full construction should commence in November this year”, Nwifuru said.

He urged the indigenous people of the area to exhibit ownership spirit as its construction is being undertaken.

“We are looking at an employment level of about 2,000 workforce here. I thank you for your cooperation as I have not received any news of stealing and social violations. No contractor has complained of any disruptions by way of theft.

I can assure you that by December this year, many buildings here will be completed”.

Conducting the governor round the facility, the Ebonyi State Government L-PRES consultant, Dr Usman Ali Lawan, stated that the project was solely billed to ensure livestock production meets global standards while, also, providing jobs for the people. He commended the governor for his proactivity and foresight in initiating people-centric projects.