The National Economic Council (NEC) implementation monitoring committee has commended the Taraba government for the quality and impact of its ongoing development projects across the state.

The chairman of the committee and Borno Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Maina Yaumi, gave the commendation after a two-day inspection of projects in Jalingo.

Mr Yaumi said the visit was part of the committee’s mandate to assess projects executed by state governments and determine their alignment with the National Development Plan.

He described NEC as a platform for collaboration between the federal and state governments on policies that promote national development.

The committee chairman said he was impressed by the ultra-modern abattoir at Wuro-Sembe, describing it as a critical investment that would improve meat processing and protect public health.

He also commended the Taraba Accelerated Agriculture and Rural Development Scheme, saying the modern agricultural equipment acquired by the state would boost food production.

Mr Yaumi praised the Livestock Development Commission and the Agricultural Produce Marketing Agency, noting that their laboratory facilities would strengthen livestock development, food safety and quality control.

He described the construction of the 6 Brigade Barracks in Yali as a major investment in security, adding that a safe environment remains essential for sustainable development.

“We are impressed with what we have seen. These projects have the potential to improve the lives of the people and contribute meaningfully to national development,” Mr Yaumi said.

He urged the state government to sustain the projects to ensure they continue to benefit residents.

Also speaking, the director of NEC, Bala Giade, said the inspection was aimed at promoting sustainable development in critical sectors, including agriculture, education, healthcare and infrastructure.

He stressed the need for proper maintenance of the projects to guarantee long-term benefits.

The permanent secretary of the Taraba Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Sarah Ali, said the visit further encouraged the state government to intensify efforts to improve food security and the welfare of the people.

She said the government remained committed to sustaining completed projects while initiating new programmes to drive economic growth.

Earlier, while speaking during the inspection of the ultra-modern abattoir, the director of veterinary services, Nathan Francis, said the facility was powered by electricity from the national grid, solar energy and biogas to guarantee uninterrupted operations.

Mr Francis disclosed that the federal government had identified Taraba as one of the states to supply livestock for export to Middle Eastern countries.

He, however, said transboundary animal diseases remained a challenge, adding that the state government had put measures in place to prevent and control the diseases.

Also speaking, the director-general of the Taraba State Bio-Entrepreneurship Innovation and Solution Agency, Enoch Ashu, said the agency was producing improved seedlings for farmers to boost agricultural productivity.

He said the agency was promoting the cultivation of crops such as banana, cocoa and groundnut as part of efforts to strengthen food production and economic development.

The committee inspected more than seven projects during the visit, including completed projects already in use and others at advanced stages of completion.

(NAN)