RSG Set To Curb Illegal Abattoirs, Cows Sales

The Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture has announced plans to check illegal abattoirs and sales of cattle around the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Fred Kpakol made the plans public during a meeting with members of Butchers and Cattle Market Association, yesterday, at his office in Port Harcourt.
Kpakol said special attention will be focused on abattoirs outside the state capital, as he cited one at Okomoko, in Etche where cows are slaughtered without due inspection.
He expressed fears that the multiplication of abattoirs has become worrisome to the state government, especially as it concerns the health of the citizenry.
Against this backdrop, a task force he said will be set up together with team of inspectors to visit all abattoirs and verify the health of animals before they are killed and sold to the public.
The task force will be made up of veterinary doctors who are experts on animal health and safety.
In addition, he tasked members of the cattle market to unite as one and ensure that every animal brought into the state are healthy.
“Every lorry load will be inspected at the point where they are sold,” Kpakol said, “we don’t want a situation where cows brought into the state are diseased and not safe for human consumption”.
Responding to plea by the butchers and cattle marketers over multiple taxation and levies, the commissioner said only approved fees and levies are allowed hence they should cooperate with the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration to sanitise the system.
On his part, Chairman of Butchers Association, Musa Bala Ahmed sought for government’s swift intervention, as he decried the sprouting of unapproved abattoirs, especially in the Etche axis.
Ahmed also sought for reduction in tax and levies paid by members at the different slaughters.