The Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture,  Dr Fred Kpakol, has declared that the state government will no longer condone the illegal importation of unwholesome livestock products into the state.
Dr Kpakol who made the declaration at a meeting he held yesterday with members of the National Butchers Union of Nigeria, Rivers State Branch in his office, cautioned the people  of the state against the consumption of meat whose health condition cannot be verified.
He restated his commitment to bring sanity into the slaughter business and stressed that all animals must be checked and certified fit for consumption by veterinary doctors before they can be butchered.
The Commissioner who decried the proliferation of illegal abattoir in the state, noted that all the slaughter houses must register with the government to know the exact number that are operating in the state and urged them to always do things right.
Dr Kpakol said a committee from the Ministry will, from tomorrow, visit all the abattoirs in the state to amongst other things, ascertain the sanitary condition of the slaughter houses as well as enforce strict compliance to professional ethics of butchery.
He disclosed that the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike had directed the Ministry to employ ten veterinary doctors and has also approved the construction of five model abattoirs in the state to revamp the butchery business.
Hon Kpakol urged them to pay their revenue accurately and solicited their  cooperation to enable them fish out the fake butchers from the profession.
Speaking, the Chairman, National Butchers Union, Rivers State branch, Alhaji  Musa Bala Ahmed stated that the importation of meat into the state had reduced the patronage of wholesome meat. and promised to assist government to rid the trade of bad eggs.