Kehinde Fajobi
The Kwara State Government has seized a batch of cow meat deemed unfit for human consumption at the Akerebiata abattoir in Ilorin West Local Government Area.
This action was taken as part of efforts to protect public health, following concerns about the safety of the meat.
Mrs Funke Sokoya, Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, made the announcement in a statement on Thursday.
According to Sokoya, “One of the core mandates of the Ministry is to protect public health and safeguard residents from harm.”
She urged butchers and meat owners to work with the Ministry to ensure only safe meat is sold.
The statement, signed by Oladipo Temple, Assistant Press Secretary, emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to upholding public health standards at all slaughter slabs and abattoirs across Kwara State.
Sokoya also encouraged butchers and livestock farmers to insure their animals to minimise financial losses from such incidents.
Dr Abdullateef Olugbon, Director of Veterinary Services, advised butchers to “only slaughter healthy animals” to ensure the safety of meat sold to the public.
He reassured the butchers that the government would continue to provide training to improve their operations and increase productivity.
Alhaji Moshood Abdulquadri, Chairman of the Cooperative Harmony Butchers Union, expressed appreciation for the government’s efforts to prioritise public health.
He stated, “The union has consistently supported the ministry in ensuring that only safe meat and meat products are sold from the Akerebiata abattoir.”
Abdulquadri also urged for more support in insuring the assets of butchers to protect their livelihood.
This incident follows the government’s recent crackdown on unhygienic eateries in the state. Two weeks ago, several restaurants in Ilorin were shut down for failing to meet environmental sanitation standards.
Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Buge, said during inspections that despite warnings, some eateries continued to engage in practices harmful to public health.
“We’ve received complaints from residents about these facilities… It becomes imperative for the government to close down some of the eateries that had received abatement notices and refused to comply,” Buge said.
She added that for these eateries to reopen, they must meet several conditions, including treating their wastewater, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring food handlers.