The National Economic Council (NEC) Implementation Monitoring Committee has commended the Taraba State Government for the quality and impact of its ongoing development projects, describing them as key investments capable of improving livelihoods and driving national development.
The Chairman of the committee and Borno State Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr Maina Yaumi, gave the commendation after leading a two-day inspection of projects across Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
Yaumi said the visit formed part of the committee’s mandate to assess projects executed by state governments and determine how well they align with the National Development Plan.
He described the National Economic Council as a platform that promotes collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments on policies aimed at accelerating national development.
The committee chairman expressed satisfaction with the projects inspected, particularly the ultra-modern abattoir at Wuro-Sembe, which he described as a strategic investment that would enhance meat processing and safeguard public health.
He also praised the Taraba Accelerated Agriculture and Rural Development Scheme, noting that the modern agricultural equipment acquired by the state would significantly increase food production.
Yaumi further commended the Taraba State Livestock Development Commission and the Agricultural Produce Marketing Agency, saying their laboratory facilities would strengthen livestock development, improve food safety and enhance quality control.
He also described the ongoing construction of the 6 Brigade Barracks in Yali as a major investment in security, stressing that a secure environment remains critical to sustainable economic growth.
“We are impressed with what we have seen. These projects have the potential to improve the lives of the people and contribute meaningfully to national development,” Yaumi said.
He urged the Taraba State Government to ensure proper maintenance and sustainability of the projects so residents could continue to benefit from them.
Also speaking, the Director of the National Economic Council, Mr Bala Giade, said the inspection was designed to promote sustainable development across key sectors, including agriculture, education, healthcare and infrastructure.
Giade stressed the importance of maintaining completed projects to guarantee their long-term impact and value.
On behalf of the Taraba State Government, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs Sarah Ali, said the committee’s visit had further encouraged the state to intensify efforts toward improving food security and the welfare of its citizens.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining completed projects while initiating new programmes to stimulate economic growth.
Earlier, during the inspection of the ultra-modern abattoir, the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Nathan Francis, said the facility operates on electricity from the national grid, solar energy and biogas, ensuring uninterrupted operations.
Francis disclosed that the Federal Government had identified Taraba as one of the states that would supply livestock for export to countries in the Middle East.
He, however, identified transboundary animal diseases as a major challenge, adding that the state government had already put measures in place to prevent and control such diseases.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Taraba State Bio-Entrepreneurship Innovation and Solution Agency, Mr Enoch Ashu, said the agency was producing improved seedlings to help farmers increase agricultural productivity.
According to him, the agency is promoting the cultivation of crops such as banana, cocoa and groundnut as part of efforts to strengthen food production and stimulate economic development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NEC Implementation Monitoring Committee inspected more than seven projects during the visit, including completed facilities already in use and others at advanced stages of completion.
source: NAN
