Lagos State Task Force, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, yesterday, clamped down on indiscriminate display and sale of livestock by roadsides, at inner streets and other unapproved locations.
The enforcement, led by the chairman of the agency, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Shola Jejeloye, kicked off at Agege ram market where dozens of livestock were evacuated and taken to the Lagos State abattoir for health verification.
Jejeloye described the activities of the traders as unhygienic and dangerous to sellers and buyers.
Speaking on the operation, the Head of Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Dr Kofoworola Oloritun, said individuals engaging in the sale of livestock by the roadside violate environmental and agricultural laws of the state.
According to her, before any animal is displayed for sale, such should first be inspected to determine if it is disease free or not.
“We have issued warnings to these operators but they fell on deaf ears. The animals evacuated from the illegal market will be properly analysed at the abattoir prior to a meeting with their owners on the need to adhere to laid down laws regarding the sale of livestock,” she said.She further disclosed that appropriate fines would be issued to the operators before handing over the livestock to them.
