The Kogi government on Thursday opened bids for constructing five model slaughterhouses to strengthen the livestock value chain and improve meat processing standards statewide.
The bid opening ceremony took place at the Kogi Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project office in Lokoja.
Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Olufemi Bolarin, said the initiative marked “a major milestone in repositioning Kogi’s livestock sector for growth”.
Represented by Permanent Secretary, Dr Abdulsalam Hadi, Bolarin described the project as a critical intervention to improve beef hygiene and food safety.
He said the slaughterhouses would expand economic opportunities for livestock farmers and other actors across the value chain.
The commissioner pledged collaboration with L-PRES and relevant agencies to ensure a transparent bidding process without compromising specifications or timelines.
“The construction is not merely infrastructure; it improves meat hygiene, ensures food safety, and strengthens food security in Kogi,” Bolarin said.
He added that the project would reduce environmental pollution and align the livestock sector with national and international best practices.
Bolarin commended the Kogi L-PRES Coordination Office and stakeholders for advancing the project, assuring bidders of fairness and transparency.
Project Coordinator, Mr Abdulkabir Otaru, thanked contractors for their interest in supporting L-PRES project development objectives in the state.
Otaru said the first-phase slaughterhouses would be located in Idah, Anyigba, Inoziomi, Okene and Kabba across five local government areas.
He revealed that contracts for rehabilitating nine livestock markets across the three senatorial districts had already been awarded.
According to him, infrastructure projects at the Osara Livestock Service Centre were under evaluation, with more projects planned for the 2026 work plan.
Otaru praised Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s commitment, noting timely counterpart funding and an enabling environment for project implementation.
“The governor’s support has ensured smooth implementation of the L-PRES Project in Kogi,” he said.
He assured contractors that procurement would remain open and transparent, with contracts awarded to the most responsive bids.
Prof Usman Omeiza, Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria, Kogi branch, lauded the transparent process.
Omeiza urged stakeholders to sustain accountability and transparency throughout project execution.
Mr Hamza Aliyu of Kogi NGO Network commended the L-PRES management, urging consistency in transparency across future projects.
