The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau has described the state of abattoirs and slaughter slabs in Lagos as clean, safe and secure.
Suarau who spoke today in his office at Alausa, Ikeja while reviewing reports of the Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance Unit on abattoirs, seizure of stray animals, monitoring of meat transportation and regulation of veterinary premises, noted that the present administration takes the issue of food security seriously and is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that foods made available to residents for consumption are hygienic and wholesome.
Highlighting measures put in place by the State government, the Commissioner said that the existing slaughter slabs in Ikorodu, Matori, Ilaje and Ejigbo have been upgraded to semi-mechanised abattoirs while the Oko-Oba Abattoir andLairage Complex, Agege have been rehabilitated to ensure that operations at the complex meet international standards.
He reiterated that the State Government has banned the use of Okada for meat transportation within and outside abattoirs, stressing that the Ministry of Agriculture is continuously enforcing this ban in all abattoirs and slaughter slabs statewide.
In his words, “We are also enforcing the use of specialised vans for meat transportation within the State and permit me to note that there has been an upgrade in the means of transportation from the previous Eko air cool to Eko refrigerated meat van.”
“This still remains the only approved means of meat transportation in the State and not moribund as claimed. We are also enforcing the use of specialised vehicles for live animal transportation,” Suarau said.
The Commissioner disclosed that the State government has also commenced the development of mini-modernised Abattoirs at various locations across the State through Public-Private Partnership arrangement.
“The present administration of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode is encouraging public-private partnership in the meat value chain by licensing more private investors to establish mechanised and semi-mechanised slaughtering and processing facilities” he stated.
Suarau said as part of efforts at ensuring and maintaining a hygienic and conducive environment within abattoirs and the red meat value-chain business, the State government is training and re-training butchers and live cattle dealers on current trends in abbatoir management.
Reiterating the State Government’s zero-tolerance stance on illegality in the agricultural sector, Suarau noted that government will continue to close down abattoirs and slaughter slabs that are not established in compliance with the relevant laws of the State.
He reiterated that the State Government has banned the use of Okada for meat transportation within and outside abattoirs, stressing that the Ministry of Agriculture is continuously enforcing this ban in all abattoirs and slaughter slabs statewide.
In his words, “We are also enforcing the use of specialised vans for meat transportation within the State and permit me to note that there has been an upgrade in the means of transportation from the previous Eko air cool to Eko refrigerated meat van.”
“This still remains the only approved means of meat transportation in the State and not moribund as claimed. We are also enforcing the use of specialised vehicles for live animal transportation,” Suarau said.
The Commissioner disclosed that the State government has also commenced the development of mini-modernised Abattoirs at various locations across the State through Public-Private Partnership arrangement.
“The present administration of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode is encouraging public-private partnership in the meat value chain by licensing more private investors to establish mechanised and semi-mechanised slaughtering and processing facilities” he stated.
Suarau said as part of efforts at ensuring and maintaining a hygienic and conducive environment within abattoirs and the red meat value-chain business, the State government is training and re-training butchers and live cattle dealers on current trends in abbatoir management.
Reiterating the State Government’s zero-tolerance stance on illegality in the agricultural sector, Suarau noted that government will continue to close down abattoirs and slaughter slabs that are not established in compliance with the relevant laws of the State.
