Following instructions from the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr.Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu to improve sanitary conditions of abattoirs in the nation’s capital, the to Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS) has commenced immediate clean up of the abattoirs.
The Mandate Secretary, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim who supervised and participated in the exercise disclosed that the clean up is in line with the commitment of the Minister of State to promote public health safety and to ensure that abattoirs operations and premises measure up with required hygienic practices.
He further hinted that the exercise which will be continuous is taking place simultaneously in all the abattoirs that are under the supervision of the Agric Secretariat.
According to him, “What you are seeing here today is in response to the directive issued by the Honourable Minister of State who has expressed concern on the State of Abattoirs particularly
after the Festive season where the abattoirs were full of activities which resulted to the accumulation of huge waste. Already we have mobilised all our Veterinary and Animal health officials to be part of the clean up and I can assure you that by the end of this week, God willing, the Abattoirs will be totally cleaned”.
In another development, the Secretary met with officials of the FCT Butchers Association to interact with them on the need to cooperate with the Administration in its efforts to discourage the use of tyres in meat processing.
He informed the members that the Secretariat is working towards providing them with affordable and eco- friendly alternatives.
He warned that the Secretariat will not fold its arms and allow practices that constitutes great health hazards to residents.
In his words , “The Secretariat has made provisions in the 2022 budget to procure gas flaring appliances devices which are safer for consumers and cost effective. I hope that you will use your positions to appeal to your members to adopt the new and safer practices “
Speaking also, the Director Veterinary Services Dr. Mrs Regina Ada Adulugba thanked the Hon. Minister of State for matching her words with action towards repositioning abattoir operations the FCT.
As at the time of filing this report, the Secretary has also inspected the clean up exercised at the kubwa Abbatior
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Butchers Association in Karu Abattoir, Ahmed Abdulkadri Cater said , “We are happy to see the ARDS Secretary supervise the cleaning exercise, because during his visit, he promise to do so, and now work has already started.
“And we (Butchers) were called and negotiated with on how to work hand to hand with them to improve hygiene in the Karu Abattoir.
” We have never seen this type ARDS Secretary that handles affairs of the Abattoir like this one, that is why we believe that this government intervention will change hygiene in FCT abattoirs”.
