Governor Caleb Mutfwang has flagged off the construction of a 500-cattle-per-day ultra-modern abattoir and a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, describing the projects as strategic investments aimed at transforming Plateau State into a leading agro-industrial hub in Nigeria.
The projects, located at Pwomol Village in Heipang and supported by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Programme, are expected to strengthen the livestock value chain, improve food safety standards, create employment opportunities, and attract private sector investment.
Speaking during the foundation-laying ceremony on Monday, Governor Mutfwang said the projects would serve as key drivers of economic growth, revenue generation, and job creation, particularly for young people across the state.
According to him, the ultra-modern abattoir forms a critical component of the Heipang Special Agro-Processing Zone, an initiative designed to reduce poverty and accelerate agricultural and industrial development.
“Today marks the groundbreaking of a new economic future for Plateau State. We have gathered here at the Heipang Special Agro-Processing Zone to lay the foundation for an investment that will transform livestock from a traditional activity into a modern engine of wealth creation, industrial growth, and shared prosperity,” the governor stated.
He noted that the facility would replace outdated slaughter practices with a world-class automated system capable of processing 500 cattle daily, making it the largest facility of its kind in the region.
“The difference between poverty and prosperity is often the difference between producing and processing. That is why agro-processing and value addition remain central pillars of our economic development strategy,” Mutfwang added.
The governor explained that the Special Agro-Processing Zone was designed to ensure that every stakeholder in the livestock value chain benefits, including farmers, transporters, processors, and entrepreneurs involved in feed production, cold storage, and meat packaging.
He expressed confidence that the projects would be completed within one year and commended the host community for its support, urging residents to continue cooperating with contractors for smooth execution.
In his remarks, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described Plateau as uniquely positioned to lead Nigeria’s livestock transformation due to its favorable climate, resilient farming communities, and strategic transportation infrastructure.
According to the minister, the project represents Nigeria’s transition “from informal slaughter systems to modern meat production; from waste to value creation; and from the trade of raw live animals to an integrated livestock and meat industry.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Veterinary Services and Fisheries, Dr. Sunday Akpa, described the initiative as a historic milestone that would boost foreign exchange earnings and position Plateau as a major destination for livestock investment.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Samson Bugama, said the project marked a defining moment in the state’s economic transformation, noting that the facility would anchor the 500-hectare Special Agro-Processing Zone and unlock opportunities across the livestock value chain.
Community leaders and stakeholders who delivered goodwill messages commended Governor Mutfwang for what they described as visionary leadership, expressing confidence that the projects would enhance investment, industrial development, and sustainable job creation across Plateau State.
