The Ondo State Government, under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has planned to construct a well-equipped multi-million naira modern veterinary hospital in Ondo city, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government.

This initiative is part of his administration’s efforts to ensure food security in the state by paying adequate attention to animal health, particularly livestock.

The project, facilitated by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, will be located in Ondo city, with more projects to follow.

Speaking at the palace of the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Olayato Aribo FCA disclosed at the handing over of the contract documents to the contractor that focus on animal health, especially livestock to guarantee food security through quality meat, a key protein source in the human diet.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Foluke Tunde-Daramola, Aribo emphasised that the hospital’s construction would provide job opportunities to many unemployed youths in the state.

The commissioner congratulated the people of Ondo State, especially those in Ondo City, for benefiting from the project and encouraged them to take ownership of it.

According to him, “This project will improve meat quality and create jobs, thereby raising the living standards of the people. The hospital will require the services of veterinary doctors, personnel, and laboratory attendants.”

The National Project Coordinator of the L-PRES Project, Alhaji Sanusi Abubakar, represented by the National Procurement Specialist, Mr. Kunle Adeoye noted that the hospital’s construction aims to enhance livestock production resilience, aligning with L-PRES’s objectives.

He mentioned that the state is one of the seven lucky states chosen for the hospital construction and urged the community to supervise it effectively, adding that more initiatives are forthcoming.

The State Coordinator of the L-PRES Project, Mr. Olufemi Adeogun, congratulated the city’s residents, noting that the hospital would help prevent diseases transmitted from animals to humans and reduce animal mortality.

The Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Dr. Victor Kiladejo, CFR, appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for supporting the L-PRES Project, contributing to the city’s development with the hospital’s construction.

He noted that the only existing veterinary hospital is as old as the kingdom.

He promised to ensure thorough supervision of the project through a community-based mechanism to meet standards and ensure timely completion by the contractor.

The lead contractor, Mr. Akinmolayemi Akindoju of DOJ Construction Company, promised quality and timely completion of the hospital within the stipulated time frame.