By Katherine Abayomi
The Edo State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Edo LPRES) has commenced the bidding process for the rehabilitation of slaughter slabs, live bird markets, and the establishment of additional farmer field schools across the state.
Edo LPRES, a World Bank-assisted initiative jointly supported by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Edo State Government, aims to strengthen and modernize the state’s livestock sector.
At the official bid opening ceremony held in Benin City, the State Project Coordinator, Mrs. Betsy Ikpikhumi, represented by the project’s Gender Officer, Mr. John McDonald, said the process was in line with the project’s broader development objectives. She explained that the advertisement for bids was placed in national newspapers to ensure transparency and encourage widespread participation.
According to her, the scope of the bidding includes rehabilitating slaughter slabs and live bird markets, as well as establishing additional farmer field schools across Edo State. She added that the project focuses on improving productivity, boosting commercialization, and building resilience within the livestock value chain, particularly in areas such as poultry, sheep, goats, and piggery.
Ikpikhumi noted that all components of the project, including training, infrastructure, and input support, are aligned with a comprehensive development agenda and were identified through stakeholder consultations and needs assessments. These proposals were subsequently approved by the Federal Government, the Edo State Government, and the World Bank.
She disclosed that 22 companies initially expressed interest in the project, and 15 of them successfully submitted complete bids. The public bid opening, which was attended by representatives of the bidding companies, was conducted to ensure transparency.
The submitted bids will now be reviewed by a committee, which will select the most qualified contractors to execute the projects.
A representative of one of the bidding firms, Mr. Abdulbasit Isah of RSA Global Investment, praised the process, describing it as fair, open, and transparent.
Companies present at the event included RSA Global Investment, Baube Solution Limited, Airos Synergy Limited, Jezuwa Nigeria Limited, Earth Geo Engineering Limited, Attabaaon Global Limited, Crane and Castle Limited, Sea-Hawk Solution & Logistics Limited, and Aza-One Multi Services Enterprise Limited, among others.
