5th April, 2017
Lagos State Government is set to remove all shanties at Oko Oba abattoir and lairage complex in a view to ensuring a healthy and hygienic abattoir condition in the state.
In line with this, the state government held an interactive session with the butchers and other stakeholders of the abattoir to discuss the modalities of the proposed upgrading and rehabilitation of the complex.
Presiding over the meeting was the Commissioner for Agriculture, Oluwatoyin Suarau who stated the commitment of the government to give the abattoir a befitting status a mega city market deserves, urged the stake holders to give maximum support to the government to enhance a successful implementation of the project.
He stated clearly that government’s motive was to improve the hygienic condition of the market and not to hunt anyone.
“I want us all to see this gathering as a family meeting and we should not see this project as a government instrument to disrupt the activities of the market”, said he.
Suarau added that the removal of the shanties would commence any time from now and that all occupants should ensure they vacate with their valuables and move to the lairage temporarily for their activities pending the completion of the project.
The commissioner disclosed that the completion of the project would be at the advantage of the abattoir operators and Lagosians at large as the proposed project would usher in a mega city equipped abattoir with a stand by clinic within the complex which could take care of the health of workers and other emergencies in the abattoir and also a mini market which will cater for some basic needs.
“As we speak, the government has completed the fencing of the abattoir and the heap of refuse which has existed for several years has been cleared. The beautification of the entrance and surroundings of the abattoir has also commenced”, the commissioner added.
He further reiterated the commitment of the present administration of its all-inclusive system of government as an instrument to gaining all the dividend of democracy.
He urged the stakeholders to support the project as their input in pointing out miscreants and illegal inhabitant of the abattoir was required in restoring sanity to the entire market.
The Permanent secretary, Dr. Olayiwole Onasanya spoke extensively on the significance of the upgrading of the market and stressed the need for the government to monitor and ensure a safe red meat market that will conform to the mega city status.
He stressed that every section of the market should vacate their belongings as the construction would not be done in batches but at once.
“The government will not remove the shanties in batches as this will make the government spend more,” said he.
Olayiwola, however, restates the commitment of the administration towards the attainment of food security with partnership of every citizen of the state, saying that “food security and hygienic environment is in the front burner of this administration to facilitate job and wealth creation as well as poverty reduction.”