Bauchi Hosts L-PRES Midterm Review to Strengthen Livestock Development Across Three States
By Uzairu Dauda Bunga:
Bauchi State has hosted the statewide midterm review mission of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES), bringing together stakeholders from Bauchi, Gombe, and Plateau states to evaluate progress and enhance project implementation nationwide.
Speaking at the opening meeting held at Chartwell Hotel in Bauchi on Monday, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, De Bala Musa Lukshi, commended the World Bank for its consistent technical and financial support toward transforming Nigeria’s livestock sector.
He emphasized that the partnership between the government and the World Bank remains crucial in advancing livestock development, improving livelihoods, and strengthening resilience across participating states.
Dr. Lukshi described the midterm review as a critical milestone for the L-PRES project, noting that it offers an opportunity to assess progress, identify challenges, and share lessons learned to ensure the project meets its development objectives.
According to him, the project has significantly strengthened institutional capacity for livestock service delivery, expanded extension services, improved access to productive assets and inputs, enhanced value chain development, and increased stakeholder engagement and private sector participation in Bauchi State.
He also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for the project’s success.
In his remarks, the World Bank Co-Task Team Leader for L-PRES, Chidozie Onyedikachi Anyiro, said the review provides a platform for a comprehensive assessment of the project’s performance and challenges.
He noted that with about two years remaining before the project concludes, there is a need for a realistic and evidence-based evaluation.
He added that the exercise would help determine what is working, what needs improvement, and whether adjustments are required in the project design.
Anyiro further explained that the review would guide strategic decisions, including resource reallocation and prioritization of critical areas, stressing that the process is not merely procedural but also an accountability and learning mechanism aligned with global best practices.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Bauchi State L-PRES Project Coordinator, Dr Musa Adamu One, assured participants of a conducive environment throughout the review.
He praised the World Bank for its support in transforming the livestock sector and urged participants from the three states to actively engage and learn from the sessions.
In a presentation, the Plateau State L-PRES Coordinator, Weka Paul Lawuna, disclosed that the state Government has paid ₦60 million in counterpart funding between 2022 and 2024, complemented by $13.96 Million from the World Bank to boost livestock development.
He highlighted key achievements, including value chain enhancement, conflict prevention, institutional strengthening, renovation of veterinary hospitals, training of extension agents, and the establishment of three Farmers Field Schools across the state’s senatorial districts.
Lawuna also noted that the project has trained stakeholders in disease monitoring, risk communication, and productivity improvement, contributing to significant progress in Plateau State’s livestock sector.
Some of the participants at the review, expressed optimism that the L-PRES initiative will continue to drive sustainable growth and transformation in Nigeria’s livestock industry.
