A total of 15 firms are jostling for World Bank-assisted agricultural project contracts in Edo State.

The World Bank assisted initiative projects, the Edo State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Edo-LPRES) is jointly supported by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Edo State Government.

The firms are jostling for contracts for the rehabilitation of slaughter slabs, live bird markets, and additional farmer field schools across the state.

Betsy Ikpikhumi, the State Project Coordinator, disclosed this on Wednesday during the official bid opening ceremony in Benin City

Ikpikhumi, represented by John McDonald, the project?s Gender Officer said the project is signaling progress in efforts to enhance livestock infrastructure.

She said the project is designed to strengthen and modernize the state?s livestock sector, while the bidding process is aligned with Edo- LPRES?s overall development objectives.

She disclosed that out of 22 companies that initially expressed interest, 15 successfully submitted complete bids.

The Edo-LPRES State Project Coordinator said the 15 submitted bids would be reviewed by an evaluation committee to select the most qualified contractors for project execution

She added that advertisements for the projects were published in national newspapers to ensure transparency and wide participation.

According to her, the scope of these bids includes the rehabilitation of slaughter slabs, live bird markets, and the establishment of additional farmer field schools.

?Following the approvals, advertisements were placed in the Vanguard Newspaper, inviting qualified contractors to submit bids.

?Our goal is to improve productivity, enhance commercialization, and build resilience within the livestock value chain in Edo State.

?The project?s key focus areas include poultry, sheep, goats, and piggery. All project components?ranging from training to infrastructure and input support?must align with the initiative?s broader development agenda.

?The bid opening is conducted publicly, with company representatives present to witness and verify the transparency of the process?, she stated.

She explained that the projects were identified through stakeholder consultations and needs assessments, and were subsequently approved by the federal government, the Edo State Government, and the World Bank.

Abdulbasit Isah, representing RSA Global Investment, commended the bidding process, describing it as ?fair, open, and transparent.?

Companies represented at the event included RSA Global Investment, Baube Solution Limited, Airos Synergy Limited, Jezuwa Nigeria Limited, and Earth Geo Engineering Limited.

Other participating firms included Attabaaon Global Limited, Crane and Castle Limited, Sea-Hawk Solution & Logistics Limited, and Aza-One Multiservices Enterprise Limited, among others.

It was learnt that under the project, four slaughter slabs for improved meat hygiene, three live bird markets to safeguard the poultry industry and safe poultry meat and products are at stake to be won by contractors to be rehabilitated, while two additional farmer field schools are also available be established. (BusinessDay)

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