LAGOS: LASG Orders Illegal Abattoirs To Close Shops Or Face The Law

THE governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode has issued a two-week ultimatum to all operators of illegal abattoirs within the state to shut down or be prosecuted by the State government stating that it would no longer condone any manner of illegal practices particularly related to human health across the state.

The governor disclosed this through the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr.Toyin Suarau, adding that all operators of illegal abattoirs located within military cantonments and barracks in the State, where Veterinary Officers were denied access should be closed down as government would no longer tolerate such illegal practice.

In view of this, the Commissioner said that his ministry had assigned Veterinary officers to all recognized abattoirs in the state for proper inspections and certification in order to determine the hygienic status of the abattoirs. He however added that the exercise would be a routine exercise noting that the era of feeding the residents with poisonous meats are over.

“All meat in the state must be certified by these professionals to guarantee the wholesomeness in the process of meat that Lagosians consume. Government has handled significantly the distribution aspect by introducing the Eko Refrigerated Meat Van which is now used to transport meat rather than the former obnoxious meat transportation.

‘’Government will continue to close down illegal abattoirs and slaughter slabs which are not hygienic and not in compliant with the relevant laws governing meat slaughtering in the state.”

The Commissioner finally noted that the enforcement over this directive would be total and zero tolerance.