Federal Capital Territory Administration arrests Cold Room Business Operators
Hudu Yakubu, Abuja.
The Authority of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has arrested two persons operating a cold room business at the Garki International Market for alleged involvement in sale of rotten chicken to buyers.
The Head, Monitoring and Enforcement, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Mr Kaka Bello, who led security personnel with officials of the board, said he got the report from the market management and the Public Complaints Commission.
“We are here based on the report we received from the market management and the Public Complaints Commission.
“We have been going round to talk about environmental issues generally, but today we are here to talk about environmental health issues.
“The board received information of stockpiled chicken and meat which have already decayed and unfortunately those operating the cold room are selling them to the public; and it is not good for human consumption.
“Before we came in here, the meat had been evacuated, according to the people we saw operating the cold room.
“So, we have taken the two persons operating the cold room into custody for more findings to make sure that the rotten meat is not transported to another place for sale.
“According to them, We want to know where it has been evacuated to; if they destroy it, we want to see where it was done. We want to be sure that it is not transported to other markets for sale.
“This is for the public to know that such act is not allowed in the Federal Capital Territory.
“Basically we know that they have been selling these things before the market management and Public Complaints Commission got to know about it and alerted us.
“We are going to charge them to court after necessary investigations are concluded, and they will pay for their sins.
“People cannot come to the market to buy what to eat for their good health, and buy rotten items. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Bello said the board would come down hard on anyone found selling or involved in unwholesome meat business.