By Onwa Ekor
Cross River government has indicated its readiness to synergize with the federal government in a bid to boost agriculture and export trade.
The governor, Prince Bassey Otu, disclosed this when he hosted the Minister of Livestock Development, Hon. Idi Muktar Maha, who was in the state for the commissioning of Nigeria’s first Livestock Control Post and Guarantee Facility in Mfum, Ikom.
Represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon Peter Odey, the governor remarked that the state was ready to partner with the Federal Ministry to turn Cross River into a livestock and export hub for Nigeria and West Africa.
“We are happy to have you back. When you were here last, you promised to return and visit the ranch. I’m happy you’ve come, we are making the ranch a five-star resort where visitors from all over the world will be happy to visit,” Otu said.
According to him, the cargo airport close to Obudu Ranch is 85% completed, with the first aircraft expected to land in December 2026, adding that the state plans to commence regular flights in the first quarter of next year from Abuja to Bukalo airport and from Lagos to the Obudu International passengers and cargo airport.
Continuing, the governor disclosed that farmers who want to invest in livestock will find it easier to export their livestock from Obudu Ranch to anywhere in the world, as the state provides an evacuation route to the Gulf of Guinea, which is just two hours away and accessible through the Calabar International Airport.
He informed that the State-owned Cally Air is expected to begin regular flights to the Gulf soon, to expand both business and tourism, assuring the ministry of full state cooperation, including stakeholder engagement with poultry and livestock farmers across the state.
Earlier, Maha said the Mfum facility is critical to protecting Nigeria’s economy by ensuring only healthy livestock cross the borders from the Sahel and other neighboring countries.
“This is the first of its kind that we are building in the country. We are proud that Cross River is the first state where this is being formally commissioned.
“It is one out of 12 spread across Nigeria’s international borders, from here up to other corridors. Each corridor will receive a large number of animals, and we are going to protect you,” the minister said.
The Minister whose visit included inspections of the Obudu Ranch and other livestock facilities in the state to assess progress and attract investors, also outlined plans for a modern abattoir ecosystem in Cross River to reduce dependence on cattle trucked in from northern states.
According to him, a 500-head-per-day abattoir could create up to 10,000 jobs across the value chain, including feed production, cold chain storage and transportation.
“We believe Cross River is well positioned to dominate the red meat industry in the South-South. With Calabar’s access to the coast, we are just about 5 hours from Gulf markets.
“The value of Nigeria’s red meat export is estimated at $3.4 billion,” Maha said, maintaining that to stabilize supply, the ministry plans to import about 60 million hatchable eggs as a short-term measure to license operators in order to reduce waiting times for farmers.
The minister who advocated investment in fodder production such as Napier, alfalfa and ryegrass, said the Obudu facility would include units for goats, sheep, cattle, pigs, and a dairy center.
