25th March, 2013
The Lagos State Government has warned that it may be forced to shut down the popular Abattoir Market at Oko-Oba in Agege area of Lagos, southwest Nigeria if the stench in the area is not abated.
Officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, visited the meat market and decried the offensive odour emanating from the market, coupled with dirtiness of the market.
LASEPA General Manager, Engr. Rasheed Shabi, led a team of government officials to inspect the hygienic condition of the market. They inspected the slaughter slab, drainage channels, refuse dump and cow ground.
Shabi said the agency had received several complaints from residents about the offensive odour emanating from the market and was displeased with the waste management system and the poor refuse evacuation process at the abattoir.
According to him, the waste materials generated in the market were not being taken away on time. Thus, the refuse decompose and pollute the environment.
He advised the abattoir stakeholders to liaise with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, to have a designated waste evacuator to evacuate their refuse rather than leaving them to decompose and pollute the environment.
Shabi warned butchers to desist from smoking their meat with used tyres as such action is detrimental to the health of the citizens.
“Government will not hesitate to shut down this abattoir if this stench should continue unabated,” said Shabi.