The Lagos State government through the Ministry of Agriculture has continued its engagements with various stakeholders to address illegal abattoirs.
The Government had activated campaigns and advocacy against illegal Illegal abattoirs with the intention to ensure wholesome meats are consumed by the citizens.
Combing through the State with the advocacy team, the team leader, Dr. Gbolabo Kehinde said that “the essence is to reach out to operators of illegal abattoirs and critical stakeholders in the red meat value chain.”
Dr. Kehinde explained that “the government is changing the narratives of open slaughtering of animals in unhygienic environment and is directing illegal operators to move to the State approved abattoirs to process their meat.”
According to him, the State is going round the appropriate quarters, particularly the Epe Division of the State, to enlighten people for them to become aware of dangers inherent in operating unwholesome meat markets.
“In Epe area of the State, we have been engaging them for sometime to desist from this sharp practice of illegal operations, like this place in Epe is called T-Junction, it was meant for selling live animals, but we observed they have built illegal abattoir behind it and we have been engaging them to move to the nearest approved abattoir.
“We cannot guarantee healthy atmosphere, adequate water supply, waste disposal management and we received information about slaughtering of bad cows around here, which cannot be defended by the operators.” he said
Dr Kehinde stressed that the government was working to construct a standard abattoir for the Epe community, but in the interim, they should make do with the available and nearest approved abattoir.
He said; The government is still trying to get abattoir for them, but there is an approved private abattoir which will cater for their needs, and we learnt they have been having meetings. We want them to speed up with thier meetings so that they can move away from this sharp practices.”
Dr Kehinde said the past Government delayed enforcement in this area because there were not served approved abattoir but once there is place they can do the slaughtering then, we will activate the enforcement.
He stated that the State government would continue to engage stakeholders to let them realise the need to comply and buy into the initiative which would bring sanity into the system.
Dr Kehinde is from the Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance Unit of Veterinary Department, Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture.
Private abattoir
The leader of Arewa Ram Seller in Epe Community, Mr. Ommar Abdullahi said that he is aware of the campaign to switch to a better place to conduct thier meat business.
Abdullahi stressed that they would prefer a Government-owned abattoir rather than the private establishment, though approved by the government.
Abdullahi insisted that the needful should be done about the abattoir before they would comply.
He said that his association is currently on a parcel of land owned by a Monarch of the community, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, the Oloja of Epe.
Speaking with the team at his palace, the Monarch, (Oloja of Epe) requested for a Government-owned abattoir for the Epe community to relish.
He applauded the sterling performance of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu towards improving the State Agricultural landscape.
The Mornach who believes more public infrastructure would develop the community therefore, appealed for a round table dialogue to address some pertinent issues around location of the new abattoir to the area.
Abandoned firm
At Odo Egiri area of the town where the private abattoir, TAL MEATS is located, the edifice, housing property worth millions is left empty with no patronage by the community.
It was gathered that operators of illegal abattoirs in Epe area of the State domiciled within the town, and would prefer to patronise abattoir located within the area and not private one under Eredo Local government Area of the State.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
