As part of efforts to transform its livestock sector, Plateau State has commenced the construction of a modern abattoir designed to process up to 500 cattle daily.
The facility, located within the Heipang Special Agro Processing Zone in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, is expected to serve as a cornerstone of the state’s broader plan to build a thriving agro industrial economy driven by value addition and modern processing.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Governor Caleb Mutfwang said the project reflects the state’s determination to unlock greater economic value from livestock production and create sustainable opportunities across multiple sectors.
According to him, the era of relying solely on the sale of raw agricultural products must give way to a system that emphasizes processing and industrialization. He noted that wealth creation is closely tied to a society’s ability to transform its resources into finished products.
The governor explained that the new facility would introduce internationally accepted meat processing standards while improving hygiene, food safety, and operational efficiency within the livestock industry. He added that the project is expected to generate employment and stimulate business activities across the state.
Beyond meat production, Mutfwang highlighted the economic prospects embedded in the livestock value chain, including leather production, dairy processing, animal feed manufacturing, transportation services, cold storage operations, packaging, and organic fertilizer production.
He noted that every animal processed at the facility would create multiple streams of economic activity, benefiting farmers, traders, transport operators, processors, and other participants within the sector.
The abattoir forms part of the larger 500 hectare Heipang agro processing zone, which is being developed to accommodate industries connected to livestock and agricultural processing. Planned investments within the zone include feed mills, cold chain facilities, leather processing businesses, and packaging enterprises.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the initiative as a major contribution to the modernization of Nigeria’s meat industry. He said the project would strengthen food safety standards, support job creation, improve public health outcomes, and enhance the competitiveness of the country’s livestock sector.i
Maiha also identified Plateau as a strategic location for livestock investment because of its favourable climate, agricultural base, transportation network, and the presence of the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Veterinary Services and Fisheries, Dr Sunday Akpa, said the project represents a shift toward a more organized and efficient meat industry. He noted that modern processing facilities would reduce wastage, improve product quality, and increase value derived from livestock resources.
The project is being implemented with support from the World Bank, the Special Agro Processing Zones programme, the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project, and the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
Governor Mutfwang called on residents of Heipang and Pommol communities to safeguard the facility and actively participate in its success, stressing that the long term benefits would extend to local communities and the wider state economy.
