As part of efforts to ensure smooth running of the Central Abattoir located at Amosun Village in Ibadan, the Oyo State House of Assembly’s Ad-Hoc Committee has visited the place to assess the present conditions of facilities with the aim of confirming if it meets international standards.
Hon. Akintunde Olajide who is the Chairman of the committee that led a delegation to the Central Abattoir during the week revealed that the visit of the committee confirmed that the state is the owner of the abattoir and it is pertinent for all stakeholders to work with government to make it a better place.
Hon. Olajide, who was accompanied by Hon. Kazeem Olayanju, Hon. Francis Adetunji, Hon. Olusegun Popoola, Hon. Akeem Adedibu and Hon. Ademola Rasaq, stated that creation of enabling environment, provision of adequate security as well as good mode of transportation will form part of recommendations that the committee will present before the House to cater for the people working at the abattoir.
The Chairman of the committee explained that the present administration in the state under Governor Seyi Makinde will not leave any stone unturned to secure lives and properties and do everything at its disposal at improving standard of living of the people.
While speaking about the recurrent crisis rocking butchers’ union in the state, he noted that the House has waded into the issue and proffered lasting solution to it and all major stakeholders have agreed to sheath their swords and allow peace for the progress of the association.
Olajide appealed to them to cooperate with the consultant in charge of the abattoir and ensure they operate in line with the laid down rules and regulations to meet up with international standards.
The Ad-Hoc Committee’s oversight visit to the Central Abattoir and Lam Adesina Cattle Market was propelled by a petition written to the Oyo State House of Assembly on the cancellation of emergency abattoir slaughter slab at Akinyele Cattle Market to investigate the matter and come up with resolutions that will be of benefit to all stakeholders and government.
The Chairman of the company in charge of the project, Mr. Abiodun Ahmadu has described a call for the decentralization of the abattoir at this point in time when the Central Abattoir is largely under-utilized from certain quarter as uncalled for, he clarified that the abattoir was prepared for about 7000 herd of cattle capacity while about average of 400 were being slaughtered daily.
Mr. Ahmadu said that necessary facilities have been put in place to ensure smooth running of operations in the abattoir, stating that in the next few months, raw materials being generated from the abattoir will be turned to solid manure, liquid manure and volume being generated will be enough to do four megawatts of electricity to be powered by gas.
He added that the abattoir has not, at any point in time witnessed any security challenge as result of security arrangements at the there adding that the abattoir has a police post, assisted by the men of the Operation Burst as well as internal security to ensure adequate security of lives and properties.
In their reactions, the Secretary of Butchers Association of Nigeria, Olagoke Lateef and Chairman, Active Butchers Association of Nigeria, Najeem Balogun, commended the state’s lawmakers and the committee for their effort for peace to rein in the association.
Olagoke appealed to government to assist them in addressing challenges confronting their operations in the abattoir, which he identified mainly as transportation to convey their products to the market in the city.
Balogun on his own called for the decentralization of the Central Abattoir to enable more abattoirs that will be close to other local government areas be created.
Some of the facilities visited include Mechanized Slaughter Slab, Emergency Slaughter Slab, Cow Slaughter Slab one & two, clinic and veterinary clinic among others.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
