TOWARDS AN IMPROVED ABATTOIR SERVICE
Activities in a typical Nigerian slaughter house no doubt pose a serious threat to the environment. This is because of poor handling practices and its adverse environmental effects. In order to have access to water supply which is vital for slaughtered animal processing and to provide a sink for the run-off from meat processing activities, most abattoirs in Nigeria are situated close to surface water bodies.
Pollution also occurs when solid wastes such as bones, pieces of flesh and dung are left unattended to in open spaces. When precipitation takes place, these wastes leave the land in a polluted state while part of it get washed into nearby streams. Transporting meat from abattoirs in passenger’s vehicles and motorcycles is another common practice in most parts of the country and this exposes meat to disease vectors such as flies and dust. Inspection of animals by relevant agents in most abattoirs to ascertain the health of these animals is rarely done and even when healthy animals are taken to such abattoirs for slaughter, they end up being contaminated.
Undoubtedly, the unhygienic condition of abattoirs across the country remains precarious. Despite the fact that government has made several attempts to curb the activities of butchers in the country but the scale of illegal abattoirs continue at a skyrocket rate.
Lagos State has a model of what a mega city abattoir should look like in ensuring a healthy and hygienic abattoir condition. The special status of Lagos as the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria and indeed West Africa with a population of about 24 million people equates to a significant huge demand for wholesome meat production which necessitated the need for the development and upgrading of its slaughter houses. Over the years, the state has upgraded various abattoirs to suit its mega city status.
Happily, Lagos State has over the years shown commitment to the upgrading and regulating the activities of the slaughter houses in the state. The Monitoring and Enforcement Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture has been clamping down on illegal abattoir operators. Some of the upgraded abattoirs include Matori abattoir, Achakpo, Ikorodu, Ibile Ilaje and a host of others under rehabilitation process.
Recently, the state launched a new ultra-modern slaughter house at the cemetery market abattoir, Ifelodun Ajegunle axis of the state. The abattoir complex which is a product of collaboration between the state government and the private sector projects the commitment of the state government in its all-inclusive system of governance.
The project is a proof that the implementation of government policies is not to be left to the government alone. The new cemetery market abattoir has deployed the use of modern technology in carrying out the day- to -day activities as the market is well equipped to a befitting mega city status. It has a well-constructed drainage system and has moved to an improved system of animal burning with the introduction of gas to burn animals. The animal burning section has been fully equipped with sophisticated gas burners, cylinder and host of experienced operators.
Also included in the ultra-modern structure is a veterinary inspection point, slaughter point, carcasses processing tables with running water, animal skin gas burning points, animal skinning and flaring tables, butchers changing rooms, 20 units of toilets and bathrooms, 35,000 gallons of water reservoir and a borehole. The modern facility has drastically transformed the status of the market from its unhygienic state to a guaranteed wholesome meat market in the state.
As a means to maintaining the standard of the market, Lagos State government has declared the operations of butchers around Suuru Army Signal Barraks, Robo B, Ijora, Oto White Sand, Alakoto, Alaba Suuru, Itire Ajegunle, Ibafon, Wharf and Boundary which are unauthorised places used for slaughtering activities around the newly inaugurated market as illegal and should henceforth be vacated as any slaughtering activities on such areas will be prosecuted.
Similarly, Lagos State has introduced a unique bio gas method of waste disposal. The biogas method is effective in disposing waste through technological advancement of generating energy at the same time. Bio gas is the only source of fuel that can supply both electricity and cooking need. Biogas can power electric generating plants as well as cooking devices. The waste generated is also a form of refined organic fertiliser. Bio gas can eliminate the use of fuel wood by the rural farmers. Above all, biogas is cheaper than all forms of conventional energy and it improves agricultural productivity and sustains the environment. Olokodana O. Idris , Public Relations Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, Alausa, Lagos