The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to promotion environmental health, stating that environmental, human and animal health are inextricably linked as the negative changes to the environment will ultimately harm humans and animals.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal disclosed this over the weekend at the launch of the Decontamination Exercise of Livestock/Live Bird Markets, Abattoirs and other Animal Related Areas in commemoration of the Year 2020 World Veterinary Day celebration.
This year’s celebration held at the semi-mechanised abattoir in Ikorodu is themed: “Environmental Protection for Improving Animal and Human Health”.
Lawal, who was represented by the Director, Veterinary Services in the Ministry, Dr. Rasheed Macaulay, stressed the roles of veterinarians as advocates of animal health and welfare through responsible use of natural resources, mitigation of the effects of climate change and assiduous efforts to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 and other zoonotic diseases in the State.
“We are celebrating the World Veterinary Day and at the same time, commencing the flag-off of the decontamination of all abattoirs in the State, including the livestock and live bird markets in order to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
“As it is a zoonotic disease originating from animals and other zoonotic diseases of animal origin. This is why we have taken it upon ourselves to decontaminate all animal areas in the State to commemorate the World Veterinary Day.
“This is a collaboration between the Veterinary Council of Nigeria and the Lagos State Government,” the Commissioner asserted.
He noted that the 3-week long exercise will involve the decontamination of no fewer than 50 animal areas including abattoirs, slaughter slabs, animal clinics as well as livestock and live bird markets, adding that the exercise is a continuation of similar disinfection of live bird markets undertaken in the past to fight zoonotic diseases in Lagos.
“Even before this pandemic, the State Government through the Ministry of Agriculture has been decontaminating all abattoirs, livestock markets and live bird markets across the State.
“It is not a one-off thing; it is going to be a continuous exercise. That is why we don’t experience any meat-borne disease in the State. It is because of the continuous decontamination and disinfection of all our abattoirs, live bird and livestock markets”, Lawal explained.
The Commissioner listed some of the animal areas to be decontaminated to include Ikorodu Abattoir, Agege Abattoir, Agege Animal Market, Surulere Veterinary Clinics, Tejuoso Live Bird Market, Oyingbo Live Bird Market, Jankara Live Bird Market, Lagos Island; Pelewura Live Bird Market, Lagos Island; Animal Hospitals, Alaba Suuru Live Bird Market, Agboju, Epe Veterinary Clinics, Akodo Live Bird Market, Ibeju- Lekki; Arasi Live Bird Market, Epe and Badagry Veterinary Clinics, among numerous others.
Earlier, the President, Commonwealth Veterinary Association, Dr. Olatunji Nasir explained that this year’s event is unique having occurred during the global COVID-19 pandemic which makes it essential to maintain an environment that guarantees animal and human health.
“The World Health Organisation, (WHO), states that about 75% of human diseases are gotten from animals. So, we as veterinarians serve as an interface in trying to protect human beings from getting zoonotic diseases that are transmitted from animals to man.
“This is why we chose the abattoirs, livestock markets and live bird markets where they sell chicken to undertake the decontamination of these places because we know that these are places that are visited by multitudes of people; people are going to be consuming products that are coming from these areas so it is our social responsibility to make sure that we do this”, Nasir noted.
He advised Lagosians to maintain the rules that health authorities have laid down in respect of social distancing, washing of hands, avoiding crowded places and, above all, maintaining good hygiene in their various homes.
Speaking on behalf of the butchers and meat sellers, Chairman, Butchers’ Association of Nigeria, Ikorodu Division, Alhaji Taliatu Lawal appreciated the efforts of the State Government and expressed his joy and gratitude for the decontamination exercise.
