Lagos State Government has fulfilled its promise of providing an enabling environment for the consumption of wholesome red meat by the residents, with the commissioning of five different projects in the value chain.
The State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and in collaboration with private investors, facilitated the implementation of the projects at the Lagos State Central Abattoir, Oko-Oba, Agege.
The projects include the reconstruction of 600 metres Oko-Oba Abattoir Road A, the New Carcass Refrigerated Meat Vans (Eko Fresh Meat Van), Offals Tripes Transport Logistics, Cattle Crush Way and Carcass Incinerator.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the projects, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya said that the delivery of the project is a testament to the commitment of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure healthy living for the people of the state.
She said the Oko-Oba abattoir, built in 1982 by the former Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, remains the flagship abbatior in Lagos and that the upgrading and maintenance of the facility is of paramount importance to the current government.
In her words, “Oko-Oba Abattoir is the flagship abattoir facility for Lagos State, which requires constant maintenance to ensure the facility remains in an optimal state. It also requires constant stakeholders’ engagement, particularly considering what the State Government is trying to do under the Red Meat Value Chain”.
“This place has seen a lot of wear and tear in the last years, and the road that we have come to commission today was in a dilapidated situation, but thankfully, the concessionaire and private players that are in partnership with the Lagos State Government have taken it upon themselves to ensure the maintenance and upgrading of this place.
“We have commissioned a six hundred metre stretch of road A, running from one end of the abattoir to the other, and also commissioned over 65 vehicles in different categories, carrying different weighted carcasses and this is in partnership with private investors. The cattle crush way which is a channelisation of how cattle moves from the market to the Lairage before going for slaughtering, is another project that we have commissioned”, she added.
Olusanya averred that numerous interventions of the government to prevent unwholesome meat consumption have been fruitful as the government will continue to lay down the rules and regulations as well as enforce them to ensure that Nigerians and Lagosians get the hygiene needs that they deserve to have in their kitchens.
The Commissioner gave assurance that the state will continue the advocacy to make sure residents patronise vendors where meats are being sold in the right format, stressing that utilising these trucks and standardised equipment will go a long way to push out the illegal transportation of red meat carcass around the state and protect the health of Lagosians.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola urged residents to key into the initiative geared towards ensuring slaughtering, transferring, and selling of meat is done under hygienic conditions.
He said the facility is strategic in creating an ambience of hygiene, which must be maintained.
Some of the dignitaries at the event lauded the state government strides towards redefining the agricultural space, with some of them assuring of their support to further develop the sector.
