Gombe Targets Gulf, African Markets With Modern Abattoir

By Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Morocco have expressed interest in livestock products from Gombe State’s ultramodern abattoir under construction, a development expected to open new export opportunities and boost the state’s livestock economy.

The State Project Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, Professor Usman Bello Abubakar, disclosed this when the White Paper Implementation Committee on Grazing Reserves, Forest Reserves, Game Reserves and Cattle Routes inspected the facility.

He said Qatar had shown particular interest in goat meat from indigenous Northern Nigerian breeds, adding that the project could position Gombe as a major supplier of livestock products to international markets.

According to him, the abattoir will operate under a halal system to meet the requirements of its target markets.

The facility is designed to process at least 500 cattle and 1,000 sheep and goats daily when completed. Abubakar said equipment manufacturers had inspected the site and expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, while installation was expected to begin soon.

The abattoir forms part of the Gombe Agro Livestock Development Zone, which spans more than 200 hectares and includes livestock fattening centres, an international cattle market, a grains and livestock feed market, a building materials market and an inland dry port.

Abubakar said the integrated facilities would improve livestock production, reduce transportation-related losses, create employment and increase the earnings of farmers, traders and other operators in the livestock value chain.

He added that the inland dry port would facilitate export procedures and improve access to international markets.

Speaking during the inspection, the committee chairman, retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Babaji Sunday, said the visit was part of efforts to monitor the implementation of government decisions on grazing reserves, forest reserves, game reserves and cattle routes.

He commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for investing in livestock modernisation, saying the initiative could stimulate economic growth and promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.

Sunday said an earlier committee led by retired AIG Zubairu Muazu, Ubandoman Gombe, had assessed grazing reserves, fodder reserves and cattle routes across the state, identifying areas affected by encroachment.

He stressed the need to restore designated grazing areas and livestock routes amid growing pressure on land from population growth and competing agricultural activities.

According to him, providing accessible grazing reserves, veterinary services and improved agricultural support would help reduce farmer-herder conflicts and promote sustainable livestock production.