Niger State sets up task force on illegal abbatoirs

Niger State government in North central Nigeria, has set up a task force on the activities of illegal abattoirs in an effort to control outbreak of infectious diseases across the State.

The Taskforce according to the spokesperson of the Niger State Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Abubakar Kuta, is for the enforcement of animal slaughtering at government designated areas for proper monitoring.

“The state government will not fold its arms watching unguided individuals supplying contaminated meat to the public without any form of control.

“That is why the taskforce will sustain operations until all illegal slaughter slabs move to the centralized Abattoir at Tayi Village in Minna” Kuta said.

Kuta further said a team led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Dr. Ibrahim Garba Musa has recently arrested 23 people in connection to indiscriminate slaughtering of animals at unhealthy environments.

Kuta who said the arrested culprits would be charged to court, warned butchers operating in the state to always comply with government directives on the usage of government approved abattoirs.

About 600 Cows are estimated to be slaughtered daily in Niger State main abbatoir in Minna the state capital.

One of the major challenges in almost all the abattoirs across major cities in Nigeria is non-adherence to standard rules of meat processing, especially in the areas of sanitation, slaughtering facilities, handling and movements of slaughtered animals.

Experts are of the view that data base of abbatoirs and slaughter slabs for proper monitoring and delivery of healthy meats to the people be established.

Emmanuel Ukoh