Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has broken ground on a 500-cattle-per-day ultra-modern abattoir at Pwomol Village, Heipang, and a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. The projects, supported by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Programme, are part of the state government's push to transform Plateau from a producer of raw agricultural commodities into an agro-industrial and livestock processing hub. The abattoir, described as the largest of its kind in the region, aims to replace outdated and unhygienic slaughter practices with a modern, automated meat processing system.
The Plateau Initiative for Growth and Development (PIGD) commended the governor's move, calling it a strategic step toward unlocking the state's livestock potential. In a statement by its National Coordinator, Nengak David, PIGD said the abattoir would improve food safety, expand market access, and attract private investment. The facility is expected to generate employment and stimulate businesses along the livestock value chain, including feed production, cold-room services, meat packaging, and leather processing.
The Veterinary Teaching Hospital, also under construction, is expected to boost animal health services, disease control, and research capacity in the state. David said it would enhance training and productivity in the livestock sector while reinforcing Plateau's status as a centre of excellence in animal health. PIGD urged host communities to support contractors and government agencies to ensure timely completion of the projects. The group also called on investors and development partners to explore opportunities in Plateau's expanding agro-processing sector.
The same governor who is now hailed for launching a high-capacity abattoir previously oversaw a period of deepening rural insecurity that disrupted livestock movement across Plateau. While the project promises jobs and modernization, herders in the region have yet to see corresponding security guarantees for their animals and livelihoods. Communities hosting these facilities still lack basic infrastructure that would make participation in the new economy possible. Without parallel investment in safety and rural access, the benefits of the abattoir may remain concentrated in urban planning circles rather than spreading across the countryside.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
