Federal Livestock, situated in Okpuje, Enugu State, was established by the Shagari administration as a multi-million naira piggery project aimed at local and export markets. However, after forty-two years, it lies in disrepair with only one staff member and no government-owned pigs. Ben Aroh delves into the reasons behind its failure and potential solutions.
The piggery began operations in 1982 on land donated by the Okpuje community. Despite state-of-the-art facilities, including various complexes for rearing, veterinary services, and processing, the project never fully materialized. Only in the early 1990s were pigs supplied to the farm.
Chief Raphael Ayogu, a community member, expresses disappointment, noting that locals saw no benefits from the project. Despite hopes for employment opportunities, few natives secured permanent positions, with most only engaged as casual laborers.
Efforts to revive the project have been futile. Stakeholders, including community leaders and an Abuja-based engineer, have written to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, but to no avail. The project manager, Mr. Oguejiofor, made efforts to sustain operations, but systemic issues impeded progress.
Agricultural economist Cajethan Mbah suggests Enugu State government’s intervention to create jobs and wealth. He proposes renovating infrastructure, diversifying livestock, and addressing staffing shortages caused by past retrenchments and security concerns.
An anonymous insider attributes the project’s neglect to religious factors, as successive Muslim ministers hesitated to invest in pig farming due to religious beliefs.
Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Patrick Uburu, expresses the state’s commitment to reviving the project, emphasizing the need to maximize its potential for the benefit of all stakeholders.
In summary, Federal Livestock in Okpuje stands as a symbol of unrealized potential due to various factors, including neglect, lack of government support, staffing issues, and religious concerns. However, there is hope for its revival through state intervention and community engagement.
Sahara Reporters