Butchers, Katsina govt bicker over centralization of slaughterhouse
Recently, the Katsina State government decided to bring the activities of butchers in Katsina metropolis into the modern abattoir, thereby centralizing the business of slaughter and sale of meat in the state capital.
The relocation also denotes banning the business in five other old abattoirs spread across the city, and that did not go down well with the butchers’ association, who considered the government’s decision as inappropriate, especially at a time when they were struggling to resuscitate their businesses from the strangulation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, defending the government’s decision, the Special Assistant (SA) to Governor Aminu Bello Masari on Livestock and Grazing Reserves, Dr Lawal Usman Bagiwa, stated five reasons why the move was necessary.
“First and foremost, as widely reported, some of the abattoirs in question are up to 180 years old, and abattoirs are places where animals are slaughtered under supervision, and they are supposed to be located away from residential areas. When those old abattoirs were established, they were 3 to 4 kilometres away from the main town. People go there to slaughter their animals under sanitary officers’ supervision and take the meat back into the town to sell.
“But due to population growth, all the old abattoirs are now submerged in residential areas, such that it could lead to the spread of diseases,” he said.
The second reason according to Dr Bagiwa was the sanitary condition of the old abattoirs which he said was appalling, as there was no water supply to wash the meat properly.
“Number three, the population of the buyers has overgrown the capacity of those abattoirs because in those days they slaughter a few animals for the population, but the number has multiplied which also brings up the issue of space, even to keep the meat.
“The fourth issue of concern to us is the illegal time of slaughtering as they slaughter animal at any time including midnight, without the supervision of health authorities. And by Meat Edict of the federal government, all animals slaughtered must be inspected either pre or post mortem, meaning before or after they are slaughtered to confirm if they are healthy for consumption.”
He said “The fifth issue of great concern to us is that all those stolen or rustled animals that they could not move to the forest, the rustlers slaughter them and call meat sellers to buy for sale to the public, some of the animals were poisoned either as a result of snake bite or something else, but they don’t give a damn, they slaughter them and sell to the unsuspecting consumers, and by law, you cannot bring slaughtered animal into the abattoir.”
He further explained that based on these considerations, a committee was set up and a stakeholders’ meeting held with the representatives of the butchers, during which they were adequately briefed on the government’s intention and reasons for moving them to the modern abattoir which he said had the capacity of slaughtering up to 200 cattle and up to 300 small ruminant animals a day.
The SA claimed that everything that could make the place conducive for the business was provided at the modern abattoir including a vehicle to convey their meat to wherever they want with little charges, admitting however that there are little challenges which are being taken care of and which will be solved gradually.
He said all these where done within a legal framework as the law has provided that all abattoirs within 15-kilometre radius should be merged, and that was what the government had exercised, taking into consideration the problems highlighted above.
On the part of the butchers, Sarkin Fawar Katsina, who is the overall leader, Alhaji Usman Saidu Tudun Yan’Shanu, said “we fully understood that government had a good reason for whatever decision it took that will affect the lives of its citizens, but the major problem is the timing of the movement.
“It is not as if we are just trying to go against the decision of the government, but rather what my people are complaining about is the time the decision is implemented. We are actually in a situation where a lot of us are struggling to recover from the major setback that we suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This government decision at this particular point in time, is tantamount to forcing many of us out of the business. It is our business and we know its intricacies better than anyone that is not within its fold,” he said.
He however argued that one of the reasons the government was advancing that old abattoirs were surrounded by residential building could not hold water, as the central abattoir itself could not pass that test if it were to be subjected to it.
Reacting to the allegation that rustled or stolen animals were being smuggled into the old abattoirs, the Sarkin Fawa, said “Even if such things as alleged are taking place, it is not bringing us together under one roof that would solve the problem. The only solution lies in enlightenment and seeking the support and cooperation of all of us.”
He said the decision has greatly affected the economy of his members as some have deserted the slaughter house from the day the decision came into effect, adding that this was in addition to the older and younger ones who hitherto made ends meet at the old abattoirs but could not move to the new one due to weakness.
He called on the government to reconsider its decision and allow them to continue the way they were while adequate arrangement is put in place for the relocation at a more convenient time.
“We have been supportive of this administration as an association and we will continue to be. We know this administration listens to the calls, yearnings and aspirations of its
Dr Lawal Bagiwa, SA to the governor on Livestock and Grazing Reserves. people. I am therefore appealing to the governor to consider our situation and revert this decision until when we can converge easily,” he prayed.
When Daily Trust visited one of the banned abattoirs at Gobarau, it was observed that though surrounded by residential buildings, the abattoir was clean and with running tap water, but the SA alleged that the cleanliness was an afterthought by the butchers following the ban.
A visit to the central abattoir revealed that while the slaughter house is modern based on its facilities, there are still certain areas that needed to be put in proper shape.
Some butchers our reporter met at the modern abattoir raised some concerns that they found the place not better than where they left as according to them, there was no adequate water supply and the lighting within the building was not enough.
Another issue they raised was that there wasn’t enough manpower to take care of the place taking into consideration the number of users of the facility at the moment.
Alhaji Aliyu Musulmi, one of those who moved from the old abattoir, said “I have not seen anything in terms of sanitation that is better than our old places.”
Also complaining, Alhaji Lawal Rabiu, said due to the problem of lack of adequate water supply, they had to convey their meat back to the old abattoir for washing.
Our reporter observed that some of the butchers were still skinning their animals on bare ground outside the main building, claiming that there was no better place for them to do it, while even those skinning inside were mostly doing it on the bare floor as the hangers were not functional, especially at the larger animals’ section.
Reacting to some of the concerns raised by the butchers, the manager of the abattoir, Dr Shehu Ukashatu, said there was smooth operation in the abattoir despite some technical issues which were being addressed.
“In terms of water supply, we have solar powered boreholes and we have a reservoir that is used to store water, we also have two standby generators. Our cold rooms are currently under repairs and a contract has been awarded for the repair of the hangers at the larger animals’ section. Once these are done, we have no major issue again.
“Actually, they (the butchers) have grudges against the centralization and they have grudges against our inspection. And public health is our major concern here and we will continue to ensure that Katsina people get the healthy meat they deserve,” he said.