By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
The Gombe State Ministry of Livestock Development has reaffirmed its dedication to transforming the state’s agricultural landscape, with the Commissioner, Hon. Salihu Baba Alkali, pledging swift interventions to upgrade key livestock infrastructure and boost effective service delivery.
During an extensive assessment tour of vital agricultural assets, Hon. Baba Alkali inspected the Gombe State Veterinary Clinic, where he commended the medical personnel for their resilience in providing prompt care to sick animals despite operating under immense pressure.
Speaking on the operational hurdles facing the facility, the Chief Veterinarian, Dr. Adamu Boyi, pointed to critical challenges such as severe manpower shortages, shared premises with the cattle market, and the lack of perimeter fencing, as well as manpower shortage, noting that the clinic currently relies heavily on students on industrial attachment.
While Dr. Boyi expressed appreciation for the state-of-the-art veterinary scanning machine recently provided for advanced animal diagnostics, he appealed for specialized staff training and administrative independence.
In response, Hon. Baba Alkali assured staff that these pressing concerns would be directly tabled before Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
“I shall submit a comprehensive report and engage Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to ensure these challenges are squarely addressed,” the commissioner affirmed, expressing deep optimism in the governor’s passion for the livestock sector.
Continuing his inspection, the commissioner visited the long-abandoned Gombe Poultry Production Unit near the Old Dukku Motor Park, where he expressed dismay over the years of neglect that left the once-viable facility inactive.
Guided by the unit manager, Fatima Wayas, Hon. Baba Alkali reviewed the dormant hatchery and feed production units. Lamenting the state of the infrastructure, the commissioner noted, “How I know this place twenty years back has totally degraded, nothing is going on now.”
Reassuring the management, Hon. Baba Alkali promised that definitive action would be taken to salvage the economic asset, stating, “I shall relay this to His Excellency, and be rest assured that something tangible will be done by the governor to salvage this unit, either to revive it or put it into something useful.”
He also charged the workforce to actively safeguard the remaining equipment against theft and vandalism.
Concluding the tour at the newly constructed live birds market opposite the Old Dukku Motor Park, the commissioner voiced frustration over the continued delays in commissioning the fully equipped trading hub, which features modern water and sanitation amenities.
Stressing the need for immediate utility, Hon. Baba Alkali declared that the market “must be put to use for orderliness and economic development,” while announcing plans to convene an urgent meeting with key trade stakeholders to chart a practical way forward.