Lagos Warns Agege Butchers On Filth

pmnews-placeholder

The Lagos State Government has threatened to shut down the popular Abattoir meat market in Agege area of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, over unwholesome meat and filthy market environment.

The government has also set up a Taskforce on Abattoir and Animal Market to arrest, detain and prosecute any person contravening the provisions of the Meat Inspection Law Cap.M3 of 2003 Laws of Lagos State and Meat Animal Traffic, Trading and Slaughtering Law M2 of 2003 Laws of Lagos State.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, while inaugurating the taskforce in at the Government Secretariat, Alausa on Wednesday said he would not hesitate to shut down the meat market if the situation in the market did not change, saying that “we are not animals.”

“This taskforce will work hand-in-hand to complement the work of the State Taskforce on Environmental Sanitation and Miscellaneous Offences. Equally, the taskforce will work in collaboration with the management of all facilities where they operate,” he stated.

Lawal said that the taskforce would complement the efforts of the Management of the Abattoir and Animal Market in enforcing the State Laws on environmental matters, meat hygiene and handling within the complex.

“Their terms of reference are to arrest, detain and prosecute any person or persons contravening the provisions of the law. They are to arrest sanitary offenders such as non-usage of designated toilets for either urinating or defaecation.

“They are to ensure that there is no trading or loitering on the slaughter slabs as well as to ensure the use of loading bay for its authorised purposes of inspection and bulk breaking but not for sleeping, lounging or unnecessary hanging around,” he said.

According to the commissioner, “the taskforce is to ensure cleanliness of all tricycles being used to convey meat parts. They are to ensure that all tricycles are covered from slab to loading bay and its movement restricted within the abattoir complex.”

Related News

Lawal added that the taskforce was to ensure the use of only authorised meat transporters-‘Eko Meat Van’ in the movement of meat from the abattoir to the markets as well as ensure cleanliness of Eko Meat Vans at all time and prevent drippings and loading of men with the cargo.

“You are to ensure that no human carries beef or beef parts on their heads or any part of their bodies. Defaulters shall be penalised. You are to ensure that processed meat is not at any time packed with unprocessed parts in the same vehicle.

“You are to prevent illegal refuse dumping within the complex and to prevent the operation of any motor park within abattoir. You are to dislodge all illegal structures within the complex in collaboration with the management.

“You are to develop appropriate sanctions as stated in the relevant laws for offenders subject to the approval of the commissioner from time to time. Start the process of registration of all stakeholders in the abattoir and animal market in collaboration with the Department of Veterinary Services to the ministry and you are to review its activities on quarterly basis and make appropriate recommendations for the commissioner’s consideration,” he stated.

The 23-member taskforce is headed by a retired police officer, Olaitan Muaz.

The taskforce is to work hand in hand with all security agencies on ground at the abattoir.

—Kazeem Ugbodaga

Load more