Ekiti Urges Host Communities To Take Ownership Of Livestock Projects

The people of the Ekiti communities hosting livestock infrastructure projects built under the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) programme have been urged to take ownership of the facilities.

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, gave the advice during his inspection of completed livestock infrastructure projects tagged L-PRES across.

Boluwade said giving the infrastructures the required protection they deserve will ensure their proper maintenance and long-term sustainability.

The inspection took the commissioner and his team to Ijero-Ekiti, Ikere-Ekiti and Ilawe-Ekiti, where they assessed key livestock facilities provided through the L-PRES project to strengthen the livestock sector and improve hygienic meat processing.

The commissioner also visited the newly completed Ijero Veterinary Hospital as well as modern slaughter slabs constructed in Ikere-Ekiti and Ilawe-Ekiti.

He said the visit was aimed at evaluating the projects and ensuring they were ready to serve livestock farmers and residents.

The facilities, according to him, were delivered under the L-PRES programme to improve veterinary services, strengthen animal health management and promote safe and hygienic slaughtering practices in the state.

He noted that the long-term success of the projects would depend on how well the benefiting communities manage and protect them.

“These infrastructures were provided to improve livestock production and public health. Communities must take ownership, protect them from misuse and ensure proper maintenance so they can serve their purpose for many years,” he said.

The commissioner added that the projects align with the Ekiti State Government’s commitment to strengthening the livestock value chain, boosting food security and improving the livelihoods of livestock farmers.

Boluwade was accompanied on the inspection by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Babatope Ojo, the State Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Olayinka Adedipe, and members of the project’s implementation unit.

A livestock processing expert, Mr Adeyeye Adekunle, and a livestock farmer, Prince Dayo Ajayi, expressed appreciation to the Ekiti State Government and the L-PRES programme for providing the facilities.

They also pledged their support to ensure the infrastructure is properly utilised and protected for the benefit of the communities.