The Taraba State government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and agricultural development by officially opening bids for the construction and rehabilitation of livestock infrastructure across the state.

The ceremony, held on Thursday at the L-Pres State Coordination Office in Jalingo, according to the government, marked the start of the procurement process for the construction of loading ramps, rehabilitation of nine livestock markets, and five slaughter slabs in the state.

Speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Professor Nicholas Oliver Namessan, highlighted the project’s significance in revitalising the state’s agricultural value chain. He described the livestock sector as a vital part of the economy, contributing to food security, employment, and wealth creation.

“Agriculture remains the backbone of our state economy, and livestock production plays a key role in ensuring food security and job opportunities. However, our farmers and pastoralists continue to face challenges due to inadequate market infrastructure,” the Commissioner said.

The commissioner, who spoke through the Director of Livestock Services at the Ministry, Daudu A. Mbaamo, explained that rehabilitating modern livestock markets and slaughter slabs would improve hygiene, animal health standards, and revenue generation while creating a more conducive environment for livestock trade.

He commended Governor Agbu Kefas’s administration for its political will and vision in transforming agriculture into a sustainable economic driver.

Professor Namessan said that the public bid opening exemplified the government’s dedication to transparency, fairness, and due process in awarding contracts.

“By opening these bids publicly, we are ensuring competitiveness and value for money. Every qualified contractor will be given an equal opportunity, and evaluation will be strictly based on merit and competence,” he said.

He also urged participating contractors to maintain high standards of professionalism and integrity throughout the bidding and project execution phases.

Participants expressed optimism about the transparent bidding process, confident that the authorities would ensure fairness during evaluation.

Earlier, L-Pres State Coordinator Hananiah Albert reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to objectivity, stating, “We are going to be objective in our evaluation.”

The project, as made known by him, is aimed at enhancing livestock trade infrastructure, boosting economic growth, and improving standards across the state’s agricultural sector.