The Lagos State Government has warned the concessionaires managing the Oko-Oba Abattoir to comply with their agreement to manage the facility well in accordance with proper hygiene culture.
The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya, gave the warning on Monday when she went on tour of facilities at the abattoir.
“We are very much concerned about the implication of consuming unwholesome meat.
“We cannot toy with the lives of over 21 million Lagosians, and that is why as part of our proactive measures, the state government will not condone any act of uncleanliness and lawlessness in meat processing and delivery in the state,” she said.
The Special Adviser said the vision of the state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was to make Lagos a 21st century economy.
She said attention would therefore be given to all areas of the food supply chain.
Olusanya said emphasis would be placed on the consumption of wholesome meat by the citizens .
According to her, an abattoir should be clean and free of dirt, as is the standard practice in advanced countries.
“The state government is now encouraging private investment in the meat value chain with the licensing of more private investors to establish mechanised and semi-mechanised slaughtering and processing facilities in the state,” she said.
Olusanya said the constant monitoring, compliance and enforcement would in turn prevent spread of diseases, promote data collection for planning and promote good animal welfare, to make Lagos a safe place for all inhabitants.
She said it would also discourage environmental pollution and health hazard.
“Government has decided to promote and benchmark its reforms against international best practices.
“It is committed towards improving the conditions of abattoir, access control, waste management, sanitation and removal of illegal structures,” she said.
