By Philip Yatai

The Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it will take decisive action against the proliferation of illegal abattoirs in the FCT.

The Mandate Secretary, Mr Lawan Geidam, made this known when officials of the FCT Butchers Association visited him in Abuja.

Geidam explained that the effort was to ensure adherence to minimum standards in meat handling and the well-being of consumers in the federal capital, Abuja.

He said that the Veterinary Services Department was doing its best to monitor and enforce compliance to operational standards.

According to him, the proliferation of unauthorised abattoirs poses a significant threat to the safety of meat consumed by the public.

“Our objective is in line with the statutory mandate of the secretariat, which is to ensure that abattoirs in the FCT are not only duly registered and certified but also up to standard for the good of public health.”

He assured the butchers of the secretariat’s commitment to addressing the various challenges affecting the sub-sector.

He said that efforts were ongoing to provide water supply and ensure efficient waste management in the abattoirs.

He added that the administration was also concluding plans to establish biogas stations to serve as an alternative to the hazardous practice of using tires in processing animal skins.

“We will not ignore the significant issues facing our abattoirs, including the need for potable water and regular waste disposal.

“I assure you that the present leadership of the FCT Administration are working hard to maintain standard in service delivery across all sectors in the FCT.

“The secretariat will intensify its daily meat inspection activities at the various abattoirs to ensure that no animal is slaughtered without being certified safe by the veterinary doctors,” he said.

He, therefore, appealed for the cooperation of the butchers in facilitating the work of veterinary doctors during inspection, vaccination, and other services.

Earlier, Chairman of the association, Alhaji Bashir Musa, expressed the association’s commitment to complying with the administration guidelines on the establishment and operation of abattoirs.

Musa thanked the FCTA for working to improve the conditions of abattoirs and stressed the need to address the aging infrastructure of the abattoirs.

He also lauded the FCTA for the plan to modernise the abattoirs in line with best practices, adding that it would significantly improve the efficiency and quality of service delivery.  (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi