Governor Bello Mohammed of Zamfara has released N30 million for the takeoff of a 60 year old Poultry Production Centre in the state.
A statement by his Press Secretary, Jamilu Iliyasu on Tuesday said the governor announced the release of the money when he paid an unscheduled visit at the centre located at Olusegun Obasanjo Drive, Gusau.
The Gusau poultry production unit was commissioned by the premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello on 30th October, 1960 as a means of revenue generation agency and source of employment to the people of the state.
The unit is now under the control of Zamfara state Directorate of Animal Health, Rugga and Livestock Development.
The governor, who expressed concern with the condition of the centre, directed the officials to repair all the broken down facilities and equipments as well as clear the unit preparatory for its resumption of operations.
He said his administration would provide modern poultry production equipment and accessories in addition to the provision of vehicles to the centre.
He said the eggs and chicken being produced by the unit, will be purchased by the state government for feeding of its secondary school students so as to improve revenue generation of the state.
Muhammad said the N30 million will be used as take off grant for the Centre to resume its activities.
He called on officials of the Centre to effectively utilise the approved money, saying he will regularly pay visits to the facility to see the progress of its revival.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Animal Health, Rugga and Livestock Development, Alhaji Abubakar Maradun told the governor that the unit is a special centre for the production of chicken, eggs and animal feeds as well as revenue generation agency for the state Government.
He said if fully operational, the centre will produce five cartoons of animal feeds per hour.
The special adviser who described the unit as a historic centre, said it has been in existence for over 60 years.
He commended the governor for his assistance and intervention towards the effective revival of the activities at the unit and assured that the centre would commence operations in earnest.