Plateau’s Unhygienic Abattoirs, Threat To Human Existence -Butchers

Some butchers in Pla
teau State yesterday lamented the unhygienic condition of abattoirs in the state, saying it was a threat to human existence.
The butchers told The Tide source in Jos that the bad condition of the abattoirs made livestock slaughter a threat to human health and existence.
A senior official of the Plateau Butchers Association, Mr Atikum Yakubu, said livestock was consumed on a daily basis by humans and as such it deserved to be slaughtered hygienically to be edible.
Yakubu called on the state government to intervene and clean up the abattoirs.
Mr Linus Pam, a butcher in Jos South Local Government, agreed that the condition of most abattoirs in the state was terrible and unhygienic.
“Meat is essential to humans for proper growth and healthy living; it requires a clean environment for hygienic slaughter.
“If the condition of the abattoirs is bad, the possibility is that human health is put at risk,’’ Pam added.
Pam added that improper drainage system in abattoirs and inadequate water supply that made dirt to pile was capable of contaminating livestock and humans.
Mr Hussein Danganna, a butcher in Jos North Local Government, said most butchers used tyres in roasting cows and goats because of the lack of proper facilities.
He said tyres were made from a substance which was hazardous to human health when consumed.
“It is the duty of the government to provide a comfortable environment for hygienic slaughter of livestock.
“If the condition of abattoirs is bad, the tendency to contacting disease is high because some of the livestock are already infected.
“It is a threat to human health,’’ he added.
The butchers appealed to the Plateau government to improve the condition of abattoirs to ensure that livestock is slaughtered in a hygienic manner in the interest of the people.