Efforts to modernise livestock production, improve food safety and tackle security concerns in the meat value chain received a boost in Rivers State with the commissioning of a privately owned state-of-the-art abattoir.

The facility, established by businessman and livestock investor Bassey Duke under the auspices of the National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NACDPAMN), is expected to promote hygienic meat processing, create jobs and strengthen investment in the state’s livestock industry.

Speaking during the inauguration, Rivers State Chairman of NACDPAMN, Godspower Wenenda Amadi, described the facility as a model abattoir that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for livestock development.

He said the investment represents a major shift from traditional slaughter practices to modern meat processing capable of preserving products for both local consumption and export.

According to him, increased private investment in modern abattoirs across the state’s 23 local government areas would not only make quality meat more affordable but also help curb insecurity and criminal activities associated with the conventional handling and movement of livestock.

“This is one of the modern abattoirs now existing in Rivers State. From the goat section, you can see it is a new model. This is what the President wants,” Amadi said.

He noted that the facility would contribute to the diversification of Rivers State’s economy through the livestock sector while raising hygiene standards in meat production.

Amadi also urged residents to patronise the facility, disclosing that the operators would soon deploy specially designed hygienic delivery vehicles to transport processed meat directly to customers.

On his part, the founder, Bassey Duke said his decision to establish the abattoir was driven by the need to transform the livestock business into a more profitable and modern enterprise.

He lamented that cattle slaughtering in many parts of Nigeria remains outdated and called on government to provide grants that would enable operators acquire modern processing equipment, cold storage facilities and mobile freezers.

“This business has been so peasantry. It is shameful that at this age and time we are still killing cattle the way our parents did 20 to 30 years ago,” he said.

Duke encouraged more investors to explore opportunities in the livestock value chain, insisting that the sector offers enormous economic potential despite existing challenges.

Also speaking, livestock supplier Alhaji Ibrahim Mustapha commended the initiative but appealed for stronger collaboration among stakeholders and security agencies to address the challenges faced in transporting cattle across the country.

He said harassment and insecurity along transport routes have increased the cost of livestock, ultimately affecting meat prices.

Representatives of the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that the modern facility would improve meat quality, public health standards, employment opportunities and overall growth of the livestock industry in Rivers State.