The Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has outlined strategies to enhance livestock productivity and resilience in the state.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Timothy Ojomah, speaking at the programme on Saturday, commended the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) for its dedication to the project.

To achieve its goals, the Kogi L-PRES convened a two-day strategic meeting for members of the State Technical Committee (STC) and State Steering Committee (SSC) in Lokoja.

The meeting was held to present and review the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB).

Mr Ojomah noted that the meeting served as a crucial platform for in-depth discussions on project implementation, key challenges, and strategies to enhance livestock productivity and resilience.

As the STC Chairman, Mr Ojomah stressed the need to scale up livestock production, its commercialisation, and resilience across the state.

Commending the progress made so far, he urged stakeholders to remain committed to strategies that would drive sustainable growth in the livestock sector.

He reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering support for the project, in spite of the challenges emerging in the livestock value chain.

Earlier, the state Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Otaru Onoruoyiza, emphasised the importance of the meeting in advancing project implementation.

Mr Onoruoyiza reiterated that the committees played a pivotal role in reviewing project activities and ensuring that all interventions aligned with the Project Development Objective (PDO) and the Kogi Development Plan.

He said, “To further strengthen oversight and ensure effective implementation, the committees are scheduled to embark on a comprehensive tour of project sites from March 15 to 17.’’

A key highlight of the event was the presentation and review of the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB).

The presentation aimed to ensure that the work plan and budget were aligned with the project objectives.

Additionally, the AWPB was reviewed in the context of the Kogi State Development Plan, ensuring that the proposed activities and financial allocations supported the broader goals of the state’s development strategy.

The participants at the meeting included permanent secretaries from the ministries of finance, water resources, livestock development, women affairs, civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association and the State Security Service among others.

 (NAN)