The Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project has opened bids for the construction of three Livestock Improvement Breeding Centres (LIBCs), three modern slaughterhouses and the rehabilitation of eight wet markets across the state.
Dr Abdulsalam Hadi, Permanent Secretary, Kogi Ministry of Livestock Development, declared the bid open on Thursday in Lokoja.
He commended the L-PRES project for its efforts at modernising the livestock sector.
Hadi, who is also the Chairman of the State Technical Committee of L-PRES, said the projects would enhance productivity, improve food safety standards and strengthen the livelihoods of farmers and value chain actors.
He urged bidders to uphold professionalism, transparency and integrity throughout the process, stressing the need for fairness and accountability.
The permanent secretary reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote innovation, resilience and inclusive growth in the livestock sector.
Earlier, the Project Coordinator, Mr Abdulkabir Otaru, said that the initiative was aimed at providing critical infrastructure to livestock value chain clusters and boosting productivity in the state.
“We have done this before and it is yielding results. The construction of nine livestock markets is ongoing across the state.
“Contracts have also been awarded for a Livestock Service Centre and five slaughterhouses, with work already in progress.
“Today’s bid opening for three LIBCs, three slaughterhouses and eight wet markets was successful. We look forward to evaluating the bids and awarding the contracts soon,” he said.
Otaru said the project would create job opportunities for women and youths, improve livelihoods and increase income for livestock farmers.
He noted that L-PRES is a six-year World Bank-assisted project, adding that the state government had been consistent in the payment of counterpart funding to access the facility.
The coordinator commended Gov. Ahmed Ododo for providing an enabling environment for the implementation of the project and the development of the livestock sector.
He assured of the team’s commitment to delivering on its mandate, adding that the next stage would be bid evaluation, which would take a few weeks.
According to him, contracts would be awarded to the most responsive bidders, while the projects are expected to be completed within six months to one year.
Also speaking, Prof. Usman Omeiza, Chairman, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN), Kogi Chapter, described the process as transparent and in line with procurement procedures.
“The bidders were satisfied and confident that they were given a fair opportunity, and we urge the organisers to sustain the standard,” he said.
Some bidders also commended the exercise.
Mr Shobowale Abdukoyim of FAAB Global Resources Nigeria Ltd. described the process as efficient and transparent, while Mr Vincent Obanje of AMAT Integrated Services Ltd. rated it highly, praising the openness of the exercise.
The bidders expressed optimism that the selection process would remain transparent and provide equal opportunities for all participants.
(NAN)
