The Lagos State Government has dislodged 10 more illegal slaughter slabs and animal markets at Ayobo, Ipaja; Oko Filling, Ikorodu; Odoguyan Road, Ikorodu and Mangoro, Old Abeokuta Expressway axis of the State.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, who made this known today, explained that the exercise was in continuation of the sanitisation and reform of the red meat value chain with a goal of producing wholesome meat for the consumption of the citizenry.
She disclosed that during the exercise, which was carried out by men of the Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance Team of her Ministry, no fewer than 21 live rams, 13 live goats and 4.5 tonnes of meat carcass were confiscated.
Olusanya added that the confiscated meat carcass was subsequently donated to the Bab-Es-Salam Home, GRA, Ikeja; the Real Woman Foundation, Magodo and the Love Home Orphanage, CMD Road, Magodo Shangisha.
Noting that confiscated live animals would be auctioned at the Mobile Court of the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit with all offenders duly prosecuted, Ms. Olusanya stressed that there would be no option of fine in order to serve as a deterrent to others.
In her words, “The officials of the Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance Team (MEC) of the State, during the week dislodged four illegal slaughter slabs and animal markets at Ayobo-Ipaja, Odogunyan and Maya in Ikorodu, and Mangoro, Old Abeokuta Expressway. During the exercise, 21 live rams, 13 live goats and well over 4.5 tonnes of meat carcass were confiscated; after being certified safe for consumption the meat was donated to orphanages and correctional homes”.
“It has been observed that the animals slaughtered at these illegal slaughter slabs are not inspected by veterinary officials, as a result, the wholesomeness cannot be vouched for, hence the need for officials of the MEC Team to continue the dislodgement exercise”, she added.
The Commissioner also enjoined those who breed animals within their residences to restrain and prevent their pets from roaming the streets as these animals not only constitute a nuisance to public health, but also destroy the aesthetics created by the State Government to beautify the city, adding that any stray animal confiscated by the MEC Team would be auctioned.
Olusanya, therefore, urged all animal health practitioners, cold room operators and meat shop operators in the State to ensure registration with the Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and obtain appropriate license to operate, stressing that quackery would no longer be tolerated.
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