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Lagos State Government has read out a riot act to concessionaires managing the Oko-Oba Abattoir, Agege, that it will not condone any act of uncleanliness and lawlessness in meat processing and delivery in the state.
Special Adviser to the State Governor on Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, who gave the warning, while on a tour of the abattoir, said the warning becomes imperative, in order to ensure that Lagosians consume only wholesome meat from the abattoirs.
Olusanya advised the concessionaires to comply with the agreement reached with government by ensuring that the facility is managed properly in accordance with proper hygiene culture.
“We are very much concerned about the implication of consuming unwholesome meat. We cannot toil with the lives of over 21 million Lagosians and that is why as part of our pro-active measures, the state will not condone any act of uncleanliness and lawlessness in meat processing and delivery in the state,” she said.
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She explained that the vision of government is to make the state a 21st century economy, adding that attention would therefore be given to all areas of the food supply chain, with emphasis on the consumption of wholesome meat by the citizens.
Olusanya said an abattoir should be clean and free of dirt, as it is the standard practice in advanced countries, stressing that the state government is now encouraging private investment in the meat value chain with the licensing of more private investors to establish mechanised and semi-mechanised slaughtering and processing facilities.
She emphasised the need for constant monitoring and compliance, as well as enforcement, which she said will in turn prevent spread of diseases, promote data collection for planning, promote good animal welfare to make Lagos a safe place by discouraging environmental pollution and health hazards.
The Special Adviser said government has decided to promote and benchmark its reforms against international best practices; hence it is committed to improving the conditions of abattoir, access control, waste management, sanitation and removal of illegal structures.
