Nigeria, April 2, 2016 – As part of the measures to curb the spread of unwholesome processed meat in Lagos, the State Government over the weekend shut two illegal slaughter slabs in Okeafa and Ejigbo; both located in Oshodi-Isolo local government area.
According to Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Toyin Suarau, these slaughter slabs were shut as part of effort to put the issue of unwholesome meat and meat products from unlicensed and illegal abattoirs and slaughter slabs to a total halt and guarantee wholesomeness in the processing of meat that residents of Lagos consume.
He said the state government has ordered an immediate stop to all slaughtering activities in Idiaraba, Ashimowu(both in Lawanson in Mushin LGA) and Ilupeju-Oshodi illegal sheep/goats slaughter slabs.
“Any butcher or group of butchers caught at any of these illegal and unlicensed abattoirs and slaughter slabs or violate this order will be prosecuted and henceforth have their meat confiscated”, he warned
The Commissioner noted that for butchers tōthbcbt“’ and residents of the aforementioned areas where these illegal and unlicensed abattoirs and slaughter slabs operates, only Matori Modern Abattoir is the closet and approved slab by the State Government for any slaughtering activities.
He therefore urged butchers and the residents of these areas to patronize only the Matori Modern Abattoir adding that Central Oko-oba Abattoir is also open to all for all slaughtering activities.
“Government will continue to close down illegal abattoirs and slaughter slabs which are not hygienic and not in compliance with the relevant laws governing meat slaughtering in the state’’ Suarau said.
He said that the issue of animal slaughtering is still a big issue because a lot of animals must be inspected before and after slaughtering according to the meat inspection law.
“The danger with unrecognized abattoirs is that the animals slaughtered there are not inspected by veterinary professionals to detect the one that has diseased or pregnant ones because it is illegal to slaughter pregnant animal’’ he revealed.
The Commissioner who stressed that ultimatum to operators of unauthorized abattoir within the state to close down operations has elapsed noted that government can no longer tolerate such illegal practice.
“We have veterinary officers deployed to all recognised abattoirs in the state to inspect and certify the meat hygienic for human consumption and that is why we are advocating that all illegal abattoirs in State should be shut down”.
He however reiterated that government will continue to clamp down and arrest operators of any abattoirs within the nooks and crannies of the state that is not licensed or approved.
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