The Nasarawa State Government has issued a one-month ultimatum to the management of the Akwanga abattoir to improve its sanitary conditions or risk being shut down.
Margret Elayo, Commissioner For Environment And Natural Resources, gave the warning while addressing journalists after the September monthly sanitation exercise held in Akwanga Local Government Area (LGA).
According to Nigerian Tribune, the commissioner, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Hussaini Babayayi, expressed concern over the poor sanitary practices at the abattoir, describing them as a serious threat to the health and well-being of residents.
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She explained that officials from the ministry had inspected the abattoir during the sanitation exercise and discovered its deplorable condition.
Elayo stressed the importance of strict compliance with sanitation laws, adding that the ministry would closely monitor the facility’s operations until the end of October to ensure compliance.
“Most of our brothers and sisters living in Akwanga get their meat from this abattoir, but the place is not hygienic. It affects our people’s health.
“Government will do something urgently to ensure the safety of our citizens in Akwanga. The abattoir is not proper for slaughtering animals, and if nothing changes between now and next month, I assure you that the abattoir will be shut down,” she warned.
Speaking on the September sanitation exercise, the commissioner expressed disappointment over the low level of compliance among Akwanga residents. She appealed for greater cooperation to maintain a clean and healthy environment across the state.
Elayo also noted that many commercial motorcycle riders and vehicle operators ignored the restriction of movement during the exercise, warning that such violations would no longer be tolerated.
In his remarks, the Deputy Chairman of Akwanga LGA, Basau Ibrahim-Shaibu, acknowledged the poor level of compliance by residents, noting that government’s focus had shifted to rural communities.
He assured that the LGA would take immediate steps to improve the sanitary condition of the abattoir and enforce strict adherence to sanitation laws to curb the spread of diseases.
